Mercato: after the Benrahma failure, OL denounces “a profound lack of respect on the part of West Ham”

Saïd Benrahma in Lyon is no. However, everything was complete... OL and West Ham had agreed on a paying loan, the 28-year-old said yes and even passed the medical examination, the DNCG gave the green light. After the signing of Orel Mangala was made official, we expected that of Benrahma on Thursday evening, in the last hours of the winter transfer window. She never came. Lyon reveals behind the scenes of this file that was aborted on the gong.

In a vitriolic press release published on its site late Thursday, John Textor's club explains having “entered all administrative data on the dedicated FIFA platform (FIFA TMS)”. Not the Hammers. “West Ham had never launched the slightest technical procedure on its part, despite repeated reminders from OL and continuous mutual telephone communication. In the absence of this reciprocal action on the part of the English club and following this incomprehensible behavior, raising questions, the international transfer certificate could not be requested before closing time,” we deplore. And added: “Olympique Lyonnais deeply regrets this situation and this decision, demonstrating a profound lack of respect on the part of West Ham towards the Institution and the player.”

Former player of Nice, Angers, Gazélec and Châteauroux, will Benrahma return to London, he who is linked to West Ham until 2026? Maybe not. In any case, OL has obviously not said its last word: “The club reserves the right to initiate all appropriate procedures necessary to validate the operation subsequently, and to hold West Ham responsible if necessary ". West Ham has not (yet?) communicated on the subject. In the meantime, OL, 16th in the L1 standings, will face OM on Sunday without Benrahma.