West Ham United: Sami Mokbel amazed by Said Benrahma transfer news

West Ham United: Sami Mokbel amazed by Said Benrahma transfer news

Daniel Lewis

Assistant Editor AUTHORITY Senior editor and writer responsible for daily news flow, editorial standards, and active contribution across the site network. FOCUS Editorial oversight, newsroom workflow, verified reporting, and original content. THE BRIEF Former Sports Mole correspondent Daniel manages the network’s daily output, working between reporters and experts to ensure accuracy and speed. As a senior contributor, he also writes and publishes original content across the network.

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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.

West Ham
Said Benrahma has now completed his loan transfer from West Ham United to Ligue 1 side Lyon

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.

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