Lyon Blames West Ham for Collapse of Said Benrahma Loan Deal
Lyon has accused West Ham of showing “a profound lack of respect” after the collapse of a loan deal for Algerian winger, Said Benrahma. The deal had been set to go through on transfer deadline day but was unable to be completed before the 11pm deadline.
In a strongly-worded statement, Lyon criticized West Ham’s “incomprehensible behavior” and expressed deep regret over the situation. They also mentioned that they reserve the right to undertake all appropriate procedures necessary to validate the transaction at a later date and to hold West Ham responsible if necessary.
Benrahma joined West Ham from Brentford in October 2020 and his current deal runs until 2026. However, this latest development has caused tension between the two clubs.
Meanwhile, West Ham had yet to confirm Pablo Fornals’ move to La Liga side Real Betis by the time the transfer window closed at 11:00 PM GMT on Friday. Fornals has struggled to gain a regular starting spot this season following the arrivals of Mohammed Kudus and James Ward-Prowse in the summer.
This dispute is the latest in a series of transfer disagreements between English and European clubs, reflecting the broader complexities of the global football market.
The Algerian winger’s future now remains uncertain as both clubs look to resolve the dispute. It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold in the coming days and what impact it will have on the player and both clubs involved.