Sources: Two clubs race to sign Said Benrahma after West Ham green light £20m deal
Ligue 1 clubs Lyon and Marseille are now in a two-way race to sign West Ham star Said Benrahma this month, sources have told Football Insider.
It is understood that Benrahma has been given the green light by David Moyes to leave the London club this month.
The Hammers would prefer the 28-year-old playmaker to leave on a permanent deal as opposed to a loan agremeent.
The Irons have set a £20million asking price for Benrahma’s signature and both Lyon and Marseille are now in talks and pushing hard to strike an agreement.
Both French clubs have made the Algeria international a top target and are pushing to win the race.
As revealed by Football Insider earlier this month (7 January), the race for Benrahma’s signature could run close to the transfer deadline at the end of the month.
Behrama also attracted interest from Premier League clubs Wolves and Fulham, although both would prefer a loan deal rather than matching West Ham’s £20million asking price.
Benrahma is still in England despite the ongoing African Cup of Nations due to a fall-out with Algeria boss Djamel Belmadi.
He has also fallen down the pecking order at the London Stadium with just 13 Premier League appearances this season.
The summer arrival of Mohammed Kudus has left Benrahma without a guaranteed spot in Moyes’ starting lineup with Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta also competing for wide positions.
In other news, West Ham now favourites to sign Leeds star with another deal ‘very advanced’
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