West Ham United’s potential signing of an attacking midfielder might “open the door” for Saïd Benrahma to leave the club this summer.
That is according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, who was speaking to This is Futbol about the Irons’ potential transfer business, heading into the final few weeks of the window.
It had been reported earlier in August that West Ham manager David Moyes was prepared to listen to offers for Benrahma before the transfer window closes, following the signing of Burnley and Ivory Coast winger Maxwel Cornet for £17.5m.
The same article also suggested that the east London club hoped to recoup the £30m they paid for the former Brentford man in 2020, rather than sell the winger for a cut-price deal.
And O’Rourke believes that at this moment in time, the Algerian winger, who was previously dubbed as “sensational” by John Bennett is doing everything he possibly can to justify staying at the London Stadium this summer.
“So, it’ll be interesting if West Ham were to bring in a more attacking midfielder, maybe then that might open the door again for Benrahma to leave, but I think right now Benrahma is doing everything he can to prove that he deserves to stay at West Ham.”
TIF Thoughts on O’Rourke’s comments
We believe that West Ham shouldn’t rush into a decision over Benrahma’s future, and would potentially be better off keeping the 27-year-old at the club past this transfer window.
The 17-time Algeria international scored 11 goals and provided six assists in 48 appearances for West Ham last season according to Transfermarkt, suggesting that the wide man is capable of providing decent goal output numbers for Moyes’ side.
Therefore, we believe that the club should stick with Benrahma, as he provides an option for them if they qualify for the Europa Conference League group-stages, with the club unlikely to reclaim the £30m they originally spent on him.