West Ham confirm Benrahma has joined Lyon on loan

Said Benrahma has failed to score in 22 appearances for West Ham this seasonWest Ham have confirmed Algerian winger Said Benrahma has joined Lyon on loan for the remainder of the season.

The deal includes an option for Lyon to make the deal permanent in the summer.

West Ham’s announcement brings to an end a bizarre 18 hours after the deal was not completed by the transfer deadline.

Lyon accused West Ham of ‘incomprehensible’ behaviour and vowed to take their case to world governing body Fifa.

The Hammers have refused to respond to the allegations, but officials at the club are known to be furious at what are viewed as inaccurate and potentially damaging claims.

Given Fifa has now confirmed the deal, it is felt Lyon’s statement was without foundation.

In a statement, West Ham said everyone at the club “would like to wish Said the best as he joins Lyon”.

Benrahma, 28, joined the Hammers from Brentford initially on loan in October 2020 before making the move permanent three months later, and his current deal runs to 2026.

He scored the opening goal in West Ham’s 2-1 win against Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final last year – their first trophy in 43 years – but has failed to find the net this season.

Benrahma was sent off in the club’s 1-0 FA Cup third-round replay defeat at Bristol City in January, and also controversially left out of Algeria’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Following the initial collapse of the move, French side Lyon said they reserve the right to “hold West Ham responsible if necessary”.

In response to the confusing events, Hammers boss David Moyes said it had appeared last-minute issues with paperwork had derailed the deal.

“But I only learned about it when I came off the pitch late last night [after the game with Bournemouth],” he added.