Lyon Condemns West Ham as Benrahma Transfer Fails: Official Statement
In a surprising turn of events, Lyon has expressed their anger towards West Ham as the highly anticipated transfer of Said Benrahma collapsed on deadline day. The 28-year-old Algerian winger was all set to join the Ligue 1 club, with a £15 million fee agreed upon and even pictures of him in a Lyon tracksuit circulating. However, an unfortunate ‘admin error’ meant that the paperwork was not completed by the deadline, leaving Benrahma’s future uncertain.
Lyon did not hold back in their scathing attack on West Ham following the failed transfer. In an official statement, the French club expressed their deep regret over the situation and questioned the behavior of West Ham, accusing them of failing to finalize the necessary administrative procedures despite all the agreements that had been made. Lyon stated that they were delighted to welcome Benrahma to the club and had obtained the approval of the DNCG (Direction Nationale du Contrôle de Gestion) to ensure a smooth and transparent transfer process.
However, as the evening progressed, Lyon discovered that West Ham had not taken any action on their part to initiate the technical procedures required for the transfer. This lack of communication and failure to respond to repeated reminders and continuous telephone communication from Lyon prevented the completion of the transfer before the deadline. Consequently, Lyon was unable to request the international transfer certificate, leaving them deeply disappointed with West Ham’s behavior, which they deemed disrespectful towards both the institution and the player.
Lyon made it clear in their statement that they deeply regretted this situation and decision by West Ham, and they reserved the right to initiate appropriate procedures in order to validate the operation at a later date. They also asserted their intention to hold West Ham accountable if necessary.
This turn of events has left Benrahma in a state of uncertainty regarding his future. While Fulham also attempted to hijack the deal on deadline day, it remains to be seen whether any other club will step in to secure his services. In addition, there are concerns about another West Ham player, Pablo Fornals, who was expected to complete a move to Real Betis. As of now, there is no confirmation that the necessary documentation for his transfer has been completed.
The failed transfer saga involving Said Benrahma has undoubtedly left a bitter taste for both Lyon and the player himself. While Lyon has expressed their frustration and disappointment towards West Ham, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming days. Will Lyon pursue further action to validate the transfer? And what will be the consequences for West Ham if they are found accountable? Only time will tell.