West Ham have made their second signing of the January transfer window bringing forward Said Benrahma's summer move to free up a much-needed loan spot, according to Claret and Hugh.
The Algerian attacking-midfielder was brought to the London Stadium on a season-long loan in October with an obligation to buy in the summer for 2021.
However, with Jesse Lingard available on loan from Manchester United West Ham worked hard to bring forward Benrahma's transfer in order to make space for the England man.
Current Premier League rules only allow for a club to have two loan players on their books at any one time and four across a season. This meant either Benrahma or Craig Dawson had to be signed or returned to their parent clubs for Lingard to be able to join.
Benrahma is now a permanent Hammer after the club agreed to pay installments of £21.75m for his services, on top of the £4.25m loan fee previously agreed.
This makes Benrahma at £26m West Ham's third most expensive player behind Sebastien Haller's £45m price tag and Felipe Anderson's £34m move.
The club will be hoping they see more from the Algerian than they did of either Haller or Anderson who both flopped at the London Stadium, and now ply their trade elsewhere. Haller in the Netherlands for Ajax and Anderson on loan to Portuguese giants Porto.
The 25-year-old is the second signing of the January window after Danish centre-back Frederick Alves was brought in at the start of the month.
David Moyes confirmed on Tuesday evening that the permanent transfer of Benrahma was always going to occur:
"We will be taking Said anyway whether we do it now or we do it later in the year," said Moyes.
Less than 24 hours later it is now, rather than later and with it the Hammers are free to make their move for Lingard.
Benrahma had to be patient before getting a run of games in the West Ham team, but he has now got the trust of his manager and has started the previous six matches.
In that time West Ham have won all six games and despite only producing one assist Moyes has been impressed with the 25-year-old's performances.
"I thought he played really well tonight and he played really well for the team tonight and it wasn't all his tricks with the football but it was his pressing and commitment to the team," said Moyes after the 3-2 win over Crystal Palace on Tuesday.
With the Algerian now a permanent member of his squad Moyes will be looking to add Lingard as soon as possible and will home to have the 28-year-old available for Sunday's match at home to Liverpool.
