‘Deal done’ – West Ham confirm £12m transfer for ‘terrific’ player

The Hammers have cashed in on a first team star to help fund Lopetegui’s summer spending.

West Ham have confirmed that Said Benrahma has completed a transfer to Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyonnais to make his loan move permanent this summer.

The 28-year-old spent the back end of last season at the French outfit having made just 13 Premier League appearances between August and February. Olympique Lyonnais are reported to have forked out £12.3 million for the player, who registered three goals and three assists in 12 Ligue 1 outings last term.

Benrahma moved to West Ham from London rivals Brentford in 2021 and went on to make 155 appearances for the club. He was part of the Europa Conference League winning side last summer, scoring the opening goal in the unforgettable 2-1 victory against Fiorentina.

The Algeria international bagged a total of 24 goals and 20 assists for the Hammers and his talent was hailed as ‘terrific’ by former manager David Moyes after one of his more influential matches against his former club Brentford last year.

A West Ham statement on Sunday read: “West Ham United confirm Saïd Benrahma has completed a transfer to French club Olympique Lyonnais for an undisclosed fee. The Algeria winger initially joined Lyon on loan in January 2024 and the Ligue 1 side has now exercised an option to make the move permanent.

“Benrahma signed for West Ham from Brentford in October 2020 and went on to play 155 times in Claret and Blue. The 28-year-old scored 24 goals in those 155 games, with none more memorable or important than the penalty he netted in the UEFA Europa Conference League final win over Fiorentina in Prague in June 2023, and registered 20 assists. Everyone at West Ham United would like to thank Saïd for his contribution and wish him the best for the future.”

Olympique Lyonnais also confirmed the transfer, adding news that Benrahma had signed a three-year deal with a club option for another 12 months. The French club’s announcement also revealed that West Ham would retain a 10% sell-on clause on any future transfer profit made by Lyon.

FOR MORE NEWS CLICK HERE