West Ham United: Sami Mokbel amazed by Said Benrahma transfer news
Sami Mokbel says the situation surrounding Said Benrahma and his move from West Ham to Lyon “beggars belief”.
Benrahma had been due to join the Ligue 1 side on Deadline Day (1 February), only for news to emerge that the deal had collapsed.
Lyon accused West Ham of “incomprehensible behaviour”, but FIFA later confirmed the transfer could still go through on Friday (2 February).
That proved the case as both teams confirmed the loan move, but Mokbel cannot believe the developments that preceded the confirmation.
“West Ham, according to Lyon, didn’t submit the correct paperwork,” the Daily Mail journalist said on the It’s All Kicking Off podcast [2 February, 4m 11s].
“How can that happen? You have a month to get these deals done. Why is the paperwork not in? It beggars belief.”
Said Benrahma to Lyon confirmed
It is a good job FIFA showed a little leniency with this deal because West Ham were left rather red faced at the end of the transfer window.
Not only did Benrahma’s move not go through, Pablo Fornals also saw his switch to Real Betis delayed, albeit that has also now been finalised.
The deal includes an option for Lyon to buy Benrahma outright at the end of the campaign, which United will surely hope is the case.
Getting rid of Benrahma and Fornals, without bringing in a replacement, seems a strange call on the face of it from West Ham’s perspective.
That is secondary at this point, though, because the paperwork shambles was pretty much the biggest talking point on Deadline Day.
Hopefully lessons have been learned ahead of the summer, at which point you’d hope all business is done way before the final seconds.
In other West Ham news, a journalist shared an update on Benrahma shortly prior to the move being made official.
For more West Ham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.