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In-depth look into West Ham target Said Benrahma

By Jake Brigstock

HULL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Saïd Benrahma of Brentford FC celebrates scoring a goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Hull City and Brentford at KCOM Stadium on February 01, 2020 in Hull, England. (Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images)
HULL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Saïd Benrahma of Brentford FC celebrates scoring a goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Hull City and Brentford at KCOM Stadium on February 01, 2020 in Hull, England. (Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images) /
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Brentford winger Said Benrahma has been linked with a plethora of clubs since the transfer window opened on Monday (July 29), with West Ham emerging as one of the keenest to capture his signature.

West Ham manager David Moyes has said previously he only wants to sign players under 25-years-old as he looks to rebuild a youthful squad, and could be a replacement for 30-year-old Andriy Yarmolenko. Target Benrahma has lit up the Championship with Brentford this campaign on their run to the play-offs.

The 24-four-year-old winger netted 17 goals and assisted nine more in 43 games in the regular Championship season, helping the Bees to finish third in the league and only just missing out on automatic promotion to the Premier League by two points. Not a bad feat considering he missed the entirety of pre-season with an injury.

The Algerian international signed for Brentford from Nice for an undisclosed fee back in July 2018. After initially making substitute appearances, he quickly became a regular starter for Brentford within the opening weeks of the season.

Benrahma’s debut season in England proved fruitful, as he scored 10 league goals and assisted 15 in 38 Championship appearances. The Bees finished 11th that season, 10 points off the play-off pace.

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – JULY 15: Said Benrahma of Brentford controls the ball in the air during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brentford and Preston North End at Griffin Park on July 15, 2020 in Brentford, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – JULY 15: Said Benrahma of Brentford controls the ball in the air during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brentford and Preston North End at Griffin Park on July 15, 2020 in Brentford, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Getty Images) /

And Benrahma has carried that fine form into this season, where his goal return for Brentford has been even better. His ability to pick out a pinpoint pass, quick feet and blistering pace has caught the eye of many scouts up and down the country. And now he’s added even more goals to his game. Let’s not forget he can play on either wing too.

It’s little wonder he’s being linked with big-money moves, but Benrahma has his sights set firmly on being in the Premier League with Brentford as it stands.

Speaking to Sportsmail, Benrahma has said he is ‘flattered’ by the transfer talk but is ‘so focused on trying to get promotion with Brentford that [he] doesn’t want to pay too much attention’.

He said: “My progression is due to Brentford, they have given me a lot of confidence. I was not very confident when I was at Nice but now I am. It’s thanks to Brentford. So I’m going to fight to help take Brentford to the next step.”

Brentford is in action against Swansea tonight (Wednesday July 29) in the second leg of their Championship play-off semi-final, and the Bees will need to overturn a 1-0 deficit to progress to Wembley.

Next. The Man for the Big Moments: Yarmolenko’s up and down season. dark

If the Bees don’t achieve promotion through the play-offs, it’s looking likely Benrahma will be leaving Brentford for Premier League football. West Ham will certainly be among the clubs circling for his signature if that’s the case.