Bilel Mohsni had a move to West Ham blocked just a year before joining Rangers.
Tunisian international defender Bilel Mohsni has told The Scottish Sun that seeing his West Ham United move collapse in 2012 was the worst moment of his career.
Mohsni had been starring for nearby Southend United following a move from French side Sainte-Genevieve Sports, initially arriving as a defender.
However, he actually made his name scoring goals, hitting 13 goals in 42 games as a striker, though his record of 19 yellow cards and three reds in his first two seasons saw him earn a reputation as a hothead.
West Ham took him on trial in the summer of 2012, but as reported by Sky Sports, a bid of £150,000 was rejected by Southend.
The Hammers never came back in for Mohsni, and he moved on to Rangers a year later, before spells with Angers, Paris FC, Etoile du Sahel and Dundee United.
The 31-year-old is now without a club, and the defender best known for his time with Rangers, which included a famous fight with Motherwell’s Lee Erwin, has now reflected on his failed West Ham move.
Mohsni has told The Scottish Sun that his move falling through was the worst moment of his career, adding that he wonders where he’d be if that move had gone through, seemingly feeling he wouldn’t have been making a move to Rangers in 2013.
“Seeing my move to West Ham fall through,” said Mohsni. “I’d been allowed to go and train so Sam Allardyce wanted to sign me. In the end the Southend chairman wouldn’t agree a fee. I still wonder what would have happened if that had gone through,” he added.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
