West Ham United forward to seal exit this weekend in eight-figure transfer
Said Benrahma is set to confirm his £13million transfer from West Ham United to Lyon over the coming weekend, according to Dharmesh Sheth.
The journalist provided a Transfer Centre update on Sky Sports News [28 June] to say that Benrahma, who spent the second half of last season on loan at the Ligue 1 side, will finalise a permanent move in the coming days.
Lyon’s loan contract for the 28-year-old included an option-to-buy clause, and despite being delayed by a transfer embargo, the club will now pay an eight-figure sum to sign the Algerian on a long-term basis [Roshane Thomas, 5 June].
Benrahma seemed all-but certain to depart East London this summer regardless of Lyon’s ability to complete the transfer, but he will now make a return to the Allianz Riviera stadium.
£13million Said Benrahma transfer a huge boost for West Ham
Including an option-to-buy clause in Benrahma’s loan contract at Lyon suggested that regardless of how his spell in France went, the Algerian had next to no future at the London Stadium the following summer [BBC Sport, 6 June].
That summer is now upon us, and a goal return of one every four league games from the 28-year-old has resulted in a transfer decision which is a good move for all three parties.
Having been a regular contributor in three previous seasons for the Hammers under David Moyes, the first of which was on loan from Brentford, Benrahma’s minutes fell off a cliff in the latter half of 2023.
Thirteen appearances and zero goals in claret and blue gave way to three in just 12 for Lyon, with Benrahma doing more than enough for the Ligue 1 side to exercise their buying option.
£13million coming into the Irons’ coffers will be welcomed by Julen Lopetegui’s superiors, particularly after they shelled out £25.5million on a direct replacement in Brazilian youngster Luis Guilherme.
In other West Ham news, rival Premier League clubs are circling the London Stadium with an exit for Mohammed Kudus mooted.
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