West Ham have signed highly rated Algeria winger Said Benrahma from Brentford in a deal that could rise to £30m.
Benrahma, 25, joins on loan for £5m but the Hammers have an obligation to make the transfer permanent for £20m, with a further £5m possible in add-ons.
He completed the first part of his medical on Thursday but an issue had arisen, which was resolved in time for the deal to go ahead on Friday.
Benrahma said he had joined a “massive” and “historic” club in West Ham.
He added: “I like this prospect [of playing in the Premier League]. I play football to enjoy myself first and foremost, but it’s always enjoyable to know you’re joining the most-watched league in the world, so I am definitely looking forward to showing what I can do.
“West Ham is a historic club, which has been in the Premier League for a very long time. It included and still includes good players. It is a massive club in England.”
According to a tweet by Fabrizio Romano, Benrahma wanted to leave Brentford and join West Ham. The player did not want to forego the chance and hoped that last details could be cleared up. One possibility was a loan-to-buy deal.
But the problem was that all sides were running out of time to complete a deal. Furthermore, there were rumors that the most valuable Championship player had problems during the medical.
West Ham’s manager David Moyes refused to give up details about the negotiations but shut down rumors that Benrahma had failed his medical. “That’s not correct [about failing a medical],” Moyes said. We are still hopeful something can be done later today but I can’t guarantee that. Part of his medical is ongoing.” At the end, West Ham got their man and the story ended with a happy end.
Benrahma, who will wear the number nine shirt at London Stadium, scored 17 goals in 43 Championship appearances last season as Brentford reached the play-off final.
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