David Gold, David Sullivan and Karren Brady have placed a multi-million-pound weight on Said Benrahma’s shoulders before the Brentford winger has signed for West Ham United.
What’s the word?
According to the Daily Mail, the Irons will announce the signing of Benrahma on a five-year contract ahead of Friday’s 17:00 deadline for domestic transfers.
The winger will put pen to paper once the second stage of his medical is completed on Friday morning, having discussed and agreed on personal terms on Wednesday evening.
West Ham struck a breakthrough in a deal worth up to £30million during talks with Brentford earlier in the week once issues over a bonus payout were eased, while the Evening Standard propose that the upfront instalment will be £25m.
Benrahma scored 17 goals and penned 10 assists in 46 appearances for Brentford as they reached the Championship Play-Off Final last season, and sits on two goals in all competitions this term after 118 minutes on the field.
The Algerian is not thought to have been Hammers boss David Moyes’ top-target, though, having favoured AFC Bournemouth’s Joshua King, but the Norway international will not be moving to the London Stadium through problems surrounding his wage demands and associated agent fees.
GSB add greater pressure
Gold, Sullivan and Brady pushing through with plans to sign Benrahma will undoubtedly add a vastly talented forward to Moyes’ squad, however in securing a deal with Brentford they appear to have added a great weight around the 25-year-old’s shoulders before the ink has dried.
Reports by TEAMtalk suggest West Ham have agreed on a sell-on clause with Brentford as part of their deal for Benrahma, which will see the east London outfit hand over a further £8m should they sell the 5-cap international at any future stage.
The figure will not be affected by how well or poorly Benrahma performs at the London Stadium, and will not vary in value irrespective of what sum the Irons accept for his services – potentially making the forward’s move worth £33m rising to £38m plus wages if he also meets the add-on clauses.
If those claims are correct, GSB can ill-afford to see Benrahma flop under Moyes’ control knowing they have parted with large sums already and are heavily banking on the former OGC Nice star thriving in the Premier League.
He had no difficulties adapting to life in England upon his arrival at Brentford in 2018, scoring 11 goals and recording 17 assists in his debut campaign with the Bees before going on to improve his direct output, so should be able to make the step up from the Championship to the Premier League with West Ham.
Brentford Co-Director of Football Rasmus Ankersen could see Benrahma’s potential when the winger signed for his second-tier side, telling the Bees’ official club website in 2018: “Said is a player with lots of potential. He has the pace and technical skills to cause many Championship defenders problems.”
Those words have proved true over the following two years and GSB will be more than keen to see those same qualities on full display at the London Stadium for years to come, fearing the financial hit that a failed spell in claret and blue would present.
AND in other news, David Moyes is facing a selection dilemma against Tottenham Hotspur but the West Ham boss must see clear solution.