'Very keen' - West Ham set to agree to £12.5m summer transfer

The Hammers star is set to have an option to buy clause triggered following successful loan spell
Susanna Sealy
By Susanna Sealy
Published 26th Mar 2024, 14:22 BST
West Ham will prepare to bid a permanent farewell to midfield starWest Ham will prepare to bid a permanent farewell to midfield star
West Ham will prepare to bid a permanent farewell to midfield star

West Ham are expecting their Algerian star Said Benrahma to complete a permanent move to Ligue 1 outfit Lyon this summer following a successful loan spell. The 28-year-old was sent out to France this January transfer window and the left winger has already spoken of how much he has enjoyed being back in France.

The loan deal included an option for a permanent deal and sources have now revealed, via Football Insider, that David Moyes's club expect the option-to-buy clause to be triggered with Lyon said to be 'very keen' to have the attacker full-time. Since his move, Benrahma has made six appearances, starting five games and scoring once.

Said Benrahma was a successful cog in the Irons' European Conference League successSaid Benrahma was a successful cog in the Irons' European Conference League success
Said Benrahma was a successful cog in the Irons' European Conference League success
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In January, Lyon paid £5.1m to sign the Algerian international and will have to cough up a further £12.3m if they wish to make the move permanent. The Irons will also be due ten percent of any future sale if the deal goes through. While Lyon appear delighted with the work of the midfielder, the deal almost didn't go through after the Irons made a mistake with the paperwork . However, an intervention from Fifa ensured that the move was able to be completed.

Benrahma joined the London Stadium side initially on loan from Brentford in 2020 before signing permanently in 2021. He headed to the Premier League with previous experience in the Ligue 1 on his resume following stints with Nice and Angers before his move to the Gtech Stadium.

In his three years with the Hammers, Benrahma scored 24 goals and contributed 19 assists during his 155 games. He was also a key part of the club's success in the 2022/23 Europa Conference League. The midfielder and winger has also featured in 25 international fixtures for his nation, scoring his only international goal in a 4-0 away win over Djibouti in the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.

The 28-year-old's current contract with Moyes' side ends in 2026 but it is clear he is no longer part of the club's future with the former Manchester United boss keen to welcome Benrahma's permanent move to Lyon.

Related topics:West HamDavid MoyesFIFA