West Ham’s move for Brentford winger Said Benrahma has hit a snag and could be in danger of falling through, according to reports.
As reported by our colleagues at The Mirror, West Ham have agreed a fee of £18million rising to £30million with add-ons. Benrahma is currently away on international duty with Algeria and is set to face Mexico in a friendly in the Netherlands on Tuesday.
As football.london reported on Monday morning, personal terms were yet to be agreed on for the 25-year-old winger to make the move from west London to east.
It isn’t known if that is what has caused the potential transfer to break down. A move for the winger is not definitely off.
After selling Grady Diangana to West Bromwich Albion for £18million and allowing Felipe Anderson to join Porto on loan, the Hammers have been short on the left side of midfield for competition for Pablo Fornals, who currently occupies that spot in David Moyes’ preferred formation.
As early as Monday morning, the Hammers were in prime position to take Benrahma from Brentford after scoring 17 goals last season as the Bees missed out on promotion to the Premier League by losing in the play-off final to Fulham.
West Ham are also keen on signing Josh King from Bournemouth and have already seen a bid for the frontman rejected by the Cherries, believed to be in the region of £13million. Bournemouth, relegated from the Premier League last season, are holding out for £18million.
King, 28, is in the final year of his contract on the south coast and Hammers boss David Moyes wants to bring the Norwegian striker back to the Premier League quickly, with Bournemouth also wanting to get King’s wages off the books at the Vitality.
Football.london understands that King would be the priority signing for Moyes if he had to choose between Benrahma and the Bournemouth striker.
West Ham are still confident of signing centre half Craig Dawson from Watford as the veteran defender also targets a return to the Premier League. Dawson would join the club as the fourth choice option at the heart of the Hammers defence.
