West Ham United are ready to listen to offers for Said Benrahma during the summer sales with David Moyes looking to re-sign Jesse Lingard, but which clubs could buy the Algerian?
Benrahma joined the Hammers from Brentford in an initial loan deal in October 2020 that the club made permanent for a combined £30m. But he has often failed to hit the heights to warrant the fee they paid, with the 26-year-old only scoring 12 goals in 81 appearances.
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Moyes witnessed a big step up in the forward’s performances this season after Benrahma scored eight Premier League goals. He also offered six of his 13 assists in all competitions in the top-flight this term, having scored just once and created six in his debut campaign.
West Ham ready to listen to offers for Benrahma as Moyes targets Lingard
Yet the 17-cap international’s upturn in Premier League output may still prove insufficient to retain his London Stadium presence. The Sun note West Ham are now ready to listen to offers for Benrahma this summer as Moyes seeks to improve his ranks, especially in attack.
Moyes warned several of his fringe players that they must prove their worth in the second half of the campaign. But Benrahma failed to convince the Scot that he is worth keeping in claret-and-blue, as the Irons strive to bring Lingard back to east London in a free transfer.
Benrahma frustrated Moyes with his sporadic tendencies to struggle to influence matches. The pair even met before the final game of the season to discuss what options are on the table for the forward. Yet West Ham will want to recoup the £30m they paid to Brentford.
London Stadium chiefs will not let him leave on the cheap with four years remaining on his £23k-a-week contract. But should a suitor come forward now West Ham are open to offers for Benrahma, Moyes will look to re-sign Lingard after his Manchester United deal expired.
West Ham should expect some suitors to emerge for Benrahma, who Carlton Cole praised for scoring two ‘high quality’ goals at KRC Genk in the Europa League this season. So, with that in mind, here are five potential landing spots should the attacker leave east London…
Benrahma could seal Brentford return with West Ham open to offers
One possible destination for Benrahma now that West Ham are open to offers could be to return to Brentford. The Algerian dazzled under Bees boss Thomas Frank during his time at Griffin Park, so he could now look to recapture that at the Brentford Community Stadium.
Benrahma caught West Ham’s attention after scoring 17 and creating 10 goals during the 2019/20 Championship season, including the play-offs. He had also provided 10 goals and 15 assists during the ‘18/19 campaign after moving to west London from Nice in July 2018.
Brentford would ultimately go on to seal promotion into the Premier League in their first season without the winger. Frank also led the Bees to a 13th-place finish in the top-flight this term. But the Dane will want to improve his attack after scoring 48 goals in 38 games.
Leeds could raid east London to bolster Jesse Marsch’s attacking ranks
Leeds United will be eager to strengthen manager Jesse Marsch’s attacking ranks over the summer after they narrowly avoided relegation. The Whites held off Burnley by just three points to remain a top-flight outfit, having only produced the division’s 15th-best offence.
Elland Road players combined for a mere 42 goals over the club’s 38 fixtures this season – only Wolves (38) and the relegated trio of Burnley (34), Watford (34) and Norwich City (23) scored fewer. Only Raphinha (11), Jack Harrison (8) and Rodrigo (6) scored more than five.
So, a raid on east London now that West Ham are open to offers for Benrahma could be an attractive option for Leeds. Marsch would also appreciate the assists that the 5 ft 7 winger can provide, with Dan James ending the campaign as the Whites’ best creator on just four.
Wolves may appreciate Benrahma swoop but Moyes may be reluctant to sell
Having ended the Premier League season with one of the worst attacking records, Wolves may appreciate a swoop for Benrahma. But Moyes may also be reluctant to sell to Bruno Lage’s side, as the Hammers and Molineux natives will be competing for European places.
Wolves were in the mix for qualification into the Champions League this term until a late collapse saw their campaign crumble. Lage’s men eventually finished in just 10th-place – five points off West Ham in seventh – having failed to win any of their final seven games.
Crystal Palace could revive 2020 interest after missing out to West Ham
Crystal Palace could throw their hat into the ring for Benrahma with West Ham now open to offers. The Eagles fought the Irons for the Algerian’s signature in 2020, according to the Evening Standard, having held talks with Brentford in a bid to lower the age of their squad.
Michael Olise, 20, has since followed Eberechi Eze, 23, to Selhurst Park, but Patrick Vieira rarely trusted the latter this term. The Eagles boss only started Eze in six of his 13 Premier League outings after returning from injury, while also only seeing one goal and one assist.
Nottingham Forest could use promotion payout to bolster City Ground attack
Nottingham Forest could use the payout from their promotion into the Premier League via the Championship play-offs to now bolster the City Ground frontline with Benrahma. Steve Cooper can balance his attack with the winger, having relied heavily on Brennan Johnson.
The Wales international was Nottingham Forest’s top-scorer with 18 goals and top creator with nine assists, including in the play-offs. Having Benrahma to field on the left wing could also let Cooper consistently field Johnson on the right after moving him around this term.
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