Said Benrahma celebrates after a victory (Getty Images)
According to The Telegraph, West Ham are interested in signing Said Benrahma from EFL Championship side Brentford. The winger shot into limelight after last season’s performances for the Brentford side that almost clinched promotion.
A bunch of clubs are after the wide attacker with Chelsea and West Ham at the forefront. However, West Ham aren’t willing to meet the fee demanded by the Championship club. (h/t The Telegraph)
The 25-year-old Benrahma started his career at OGC Nice back in 2013. But he could only muster 18 appearances for them as he was sent on multiple loan spells to Angers, Ajaccio, Chateauroux and so on.
Finally in 2018, Brentford bought him permanently from Nice. Since then, he has solidified his place in the team, contributed to their cause and also made a name for himself in the process.
In 91 appearances for Brentford, he has scored 28 goals and assisted 27 more in all competitions . His natural position is the left wing, but can also slot in on the opposite flank if required. Also, he has been capped thrice for the Algerian national team.
With the club open to the sale of Felipe Anderson, the team looks a little light on the left side of attack. Especially after the sale of promising youngster Grady Diangana to newly-promoted West Bromwich Albion.
Pablo Fornals is another name who is being considered for a sale. These sales should provide enough cash to facilitate the transfer of Benrahma.
Benrahma is coming off a fantastic season, in which he scored 17 goals and set up 10 more in 46 more in all competitons. And the Hammers would be foolish to let go of the opportunity to buy him just for not being able to meet a £20m price tag.
The club have money now from the sale of Diangana and need to bring in a like-for-like replacement, more so with Anderson facing an uncertain future at the club.
By all means West Ham should push forward for this transfer. A proven goalscorer and provider, Benrahma can easily be a hit at the London Stadium. He would straight away walk into the starting lineup as he has been in much better form than any of the West Ham players playing in similar positions.
