West Ham have confirmed a seriously disappointing twist to the Said Benrahma deal in statement overnight.
After having their name dragged through the mud the West Ham board responded to criticism from Lyon and Real Betis in a Hammers News exclusive yesterday.
The Hammers vowed to get to the bottom of the reason for the failure to get deals completed before the transfer deadline for Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals.
And both Lyon and Betis now owe West Ham a huge public apology after the deals were ratified and officially confirmed following technical issues.
Fornals’ move was confirmed as a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee. And Benrahma’s was announced as a loan.
West Ham confirm seriously disappointing deal twist
But West Ham have confirmed a disappointing twist to Benrahma deal in a statement.
Two days before deadline, reports in France claimed a deal was agreed between West Ham and Lyon that did not include an obligation to buy or clauses to turn the loan into a permanent deal.
That was particularly disappointing as it would mean should Benrahma fail to impress – which on recent form is a very real danger – then Lyon can send him back to West Ham in the summer and his value will fall even further.
A host of journalists and the likes of Sky Sports then claimed that the Benrahma deal did in fact contain and obligation to buy for “over £15m”.
That looked a much better deal for the Hammers. Especially given the FFP balancing act facing clubs now ahead of what promises to be a very busy summer window after the quietest January in Premier League history.
Big risk as deal only includes option
Well it seems the original reports were unfortunately correct. According to West Ham themselves.
Because the Hammers have confirmed it is a straight loan merely containing an option to buy.
“West Ham United confirm Saïd Benrahma has joined French Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyonnais on loan until the end of the 2023/24 season, including an option of making the transfer permanent in the summer,” the club states on the official website.
When Thilo Kehrer was shipped out on loan to Monaco, in easily achievable triggers were included which will convert the deal into a permanent move worth – all told – around £10m.
Benrahma was one of West Ham’s more saleable assets. So it is disappointing not to get a guaranteed sale.
West Ham must now sit back and hope he impresses across The Channel.
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