According to information from Alan Nixon, West Ham is reportedly seeking an assured deal worth around £20 million for Said Benrahma, with Ligue 1 side Lyon preparing what could be perceived as a surprising move for the January transfer window.
The report from The Sun (30 December) suggests that West Ham is amenable to a six-month loan arrangement with a purchase option valued at £20 million for the summer, contingent on Lyon avoiding relegation. The potential transfer is contingent upon West Ham securing a replacement for the 28-year-old, and it has been noted that clubs from Saudi Arabia also harbor an interest in the sidelined West Ham player.
Lyon is purportedly seeking authorization to formally approach Benrahma in their bid to persuade him to make the transition.
Following his £25 million acquisition from Brentford in 2021, with a further £5 million in add-ons, Benrahma has notably contributed to West Ham’s cause, registering 153 appearances, 24 goals, and 19 assists. However, the Algerian has found himself marginalized from David Moyes’ squad this season, with the manager showing a preference for an attacking trio featuring Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus, and Lucas Paqueta.
Given his limited opportunities this season—just four Premier League starts and a solitary goal contribution—it appears unlikely that Benrahma will regain a spot in Moyes’ starting lineup in the near future.
Although Benrahma has had a significant impact at the club, it seems like an opportune moment for both parties to seek new paths. Lyon emerges as an attractive option for West Ham to offload the player, potentially recouping a substantial portion of the original transfer fee through a successful loan move.
While Lyon prefers a loan move to potentially secure a permanent transfer next summer, this arrangement could prove advantageous for all involved unless a superior bid materializes from a Saudi club. However, the West Ham leadership might opt for a permanent transfer if an opportunity for quick financial gain arises, potentially bypassing the prospect of a loan move altogether.
Lyon, keen to stave off relegation and currently sitting just two points above the relegation playoff spot, might indeed benefit from a January loan offer followed by a permanent move in the subsequent summer.
