According to sources this week, West Ham is getting ready for a major club to sign a “wonderful” Irons “talent” this summer for about £12.3 million.
Expected departures from West Ham this summer
In addition to West Ham’s manager David Moyes, whose contract is now scheduled to expire at the end of this season, there are other players who may decide to leave east London.
Kurt Zouma and star midfielder Lucas Paqueta are reportedly back on Man City’s radar in anticipation of a possible summer raid, while Nayef Aguerd and Kurt Zouma have both been frequently linked with moves to Saudi Arabia.
Alongside Moyes, there’s the minor issue of player contracts expiring; a good number of them are currently approaching their last few months as West Ham players.
Some Hammers players, like Angelo Ogbonna and Aaron Cresswell, seem certain to go shortly, and teenage defender Ben Johnson is reportedly getting close to signing a Bosman move to Crystal Palace.
“Discussions with Johnson have not succeeded,” ExWHUemployee said last week on The West Ham Way Podcast.
He’s currently being connected to an exit, and Crystal Palace is in the lead. However, Johnson’s relative Ledley King is attempting to arrange a transfer to the Spurs.
“At this point, though, it seems like an agreement between the player and the South London club is fairly advanced, which may regrettably result in Johnson leaving West Ham this summer to go south of the river.”
Winger Said Benrahma is another player who is adamant on being nominated for an exit. After some serious turbulence surrounding his move to France on January deadline day, the Algerian star is currently on loan at Ligue 1 powerhouse Lyon.
West Ham anticipates Lyon to finalize a £12.3 million deal for Benrahma.
Journalist Wayne Veysey of Football Insider claims that West Ham fully anticipates Lyon to sign Benrahma permanently for £12.3 million, in accordance with the buy-option clause in his contract.
After moving back to France, the 28-year-old is settling in and enjoying his time at Lyon. According to “sources” who spoke with FI, Moyes’ team is getting ready for Lyon to exercise his buy-option following a successful first season.
During his time at West Ham, Benrahma has generated conflicting feelings among fans because, although he was a troublesome forward in spurts, Moyes may not have given him enough regular opportunities. At Rush Green, though, the former Brentford great did win over a few true fans.
Frank McAvennie to West Ham Zone last October: “At the time, I thought it was stupid because there was a young player everyone was raving about in the exact same position, and they sold him and brought in Benrahma and I’m thinking really.”
“However, he disproved my assertions; he is an incredible talent.” It simply goes to prove that David Moyes is an expert in his field.
