West Ham are busy in the summer transfer market following the arrival of Julen Lopetegui and the club are working hard to bring in several new recruits for their new Spanish boss
West Ham winger Said Benrahma is set to complete a permanent transfer to Lyon.
Benrahma joined the French side on an initial loan on February 2, just beyond the winter transfer deadline, following late drama over an administrative error. Lyon paid a loan fee worth £5.1million and also negotiated a £12.3m buy-option.
They are now set to trigger that clause following delays over a reported transfer embargo and the deal, which will also include a 10 per cent sell-on clause for West Ham, should be formally completed within the next week – possibly in the next few days.
Lyon have been busy finalising the arrivals of Nottingham Forest duo Orel Mangala and Moussa Niakhate as they look to bolster Pierre Sage’s squad following a sixth-place finish.
But there is one player that could depart in the form of Republic of Ireland international defender Jake O’Brien. He has emerged as a name of strong interest to the Hammers as Julen Lopetegui’s east London revolution begins to take shape. Everton are also keen.
Talks over a move for Wolves skipper Max Kilman have proven complex as Molineux chiefs continue to drive a hard bargain. West Ham’s opening bid worth £25m was rejected out of hand. Newcastle have also seen a player-plus-cash bid rejected. Hull City’s Jacob Greaves also features on West Ham’s shortlist.
The Hammers remain in the market for a centre-forward but there has been no bid for Metz’s Georgia international frontman Georges Mikautadze, contrary to reports despite his Euro 2024 goalscoring heroics. Monaco and Lens are currently leading the race for his signature.
West Ham have, however, enquired about Lille forward Jonathan David and the potential numbers involved in a deal for the 24-year-old as the Canada international frontman prepares to leave the Ligue 1 side after the Copa America. Initial exploratory talks have also been held for Juventus attacker Matias Soule but interest is yet to go beyond background conversations.
Ben Johnson looks poised to depart the London Stadium as a free agent to join newly-promoted Ipswich Town while West Ham remain in dialogue with Southampton over the possible sale of Flynn Downes and purchase of Kyle Walker-Peters.
Meanwhile, West Ham have no interest in selling Edson Alvarez to Manchester United or any other club for that matter. United had been pondering a bid for the Mexican, who previously played under Erik ten Hag, before Alvarez badly injured his hamstring at the Copa America.
He now looks set for a prolonged period of absence and could miss the start of the Premier League season. Alvarez is staying with the Mexico national team for treatment and to support his team-mates from the sidelines.
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