West Ham has officially disclosed a disheartening revelation concerning the Said Benrahma deal in an overnight statement. Responding to criticism from Lyon and Real Betis, the West Ham board, determined to address the controversy, promised to investigate the reasons behind the failure to complete deals for both Benrahma and Pablo Fornals before the transfer deadline.
Contrary to earlier claims, both Lyon and Betis owe West Ham a public apology, as the deals for Fornals and Benrahma were officially confirmed after resolving technical issues. Fornals’ move was confirmed as a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee, while Benrahma’s was announced as a loan.
However, West Ham has now confirmed a disappointing twist in the Benrahma deal, refuting initial reports that suggested an obligation to buy or permanent deal clauses. The confirmed straight loan includes an option to buy, raising concerns about Benrahma’s future and potential impact on his market value.
Despite conflicting reports, West Ham asserts that the deal only contains an option to buy, creating a significant risk for the club. The absence of a guaranteed sale for Benrahma, one of West Ham’s more marketable assets, adds an element of uncertainty as the club anticipates the player’s performance during the loan spell at Olympique Lyonnais.
