To say that the loan move taking Saïd Benrahma from West Ham United to Lyon was a tense affair would be an understatement.
After a computer glitch down the Hammers’ end put the move in jeopardy, it was finally approved last Friday after FIFA intervened, much to the delight of all involved.
While Benrahma didn’t play against Marseille at the weekend, he has already spoken to Lyon’s media, relayed by beIN Sports, about his move from West Ham and why he was intent on going to the Ligue 1 side.
Reportedly also having the chance of going to Fulham, the Algeria international previously revealed the likes of Maxwel Cornet and Lucas Paqueta said nice things about the French club.
He also added: “It’s a historical club, that has a great history. Great players have come through there and it’s a big club. When people speak of Lyon, they only say good things.”
The forward also admitted that an affinity for a certain player may have also played a part, with that being Hatem Ben Arfa, who also had a spell in the Premier League in the past, with Newcastle.
He said: “I really appreciated Hatem Ben Arfa, who I followed when I was young. There was also Juninho, Karim Benzema. So many players have gone through there. Ben Arfa is a player that made me want to play football because I knew him young and got to play with him.”
Benrahma had gone from star of the show at West Ham last season to being somewhat pushed to one side by David Moyes in the current campaign, seeing his game time greatly reduced.
That’s why a move away from the Hammers was available for him during the January transfer window, which Lyon took advantage of after they realised they would not be getting Arnaut Danjuma from Everton, who is on loan from Villarreal.
