Crystal Palace are interested in signing Brentford winger Said Benrahma. The Algerian attacker was one of the stars for the Championship side last season as they came very close to being promoted to the Premier League.
As per Mirror Football, West Ham United, who were the frontrunners to sign Benrahma, are no longer interested in signing him as they are keen to sign Bournemouth’s Josh King. Crystal Palace are still reportedly interested in signing the 25-year-old.
West Ham had agreed a deal worth £25 million for Benrahma, so Palace will be expected to pay something in that range.
Benrahma moved to the Championship side from Nice in 2018, and he has gone on to score 30 goals and assist 27 times in 94 games for Brentford.
Crystal Palace have not been very active in the summer transfer window, signing youngster Eberechi Eze from QPR for around £17 million, and Nathan Ferguson on a free transfer. They also brought back Michy Batshuayi on loan from Chelsea.
The Eagles have been able to retain their star player Wilfred Zaha for yet another summer, but another good season for the Ivorian could see him linked with various top clubs again.
Said Benrahma could be a long-term replacement for Zaha, as he has the qualities that the Ivory Coast international possesses – fast, quick, skilful, and the ability to create something from nothing.
The Algerian has primarily played on the left, cut into central areas with his favoured right foot and putting in crosses or taking shots on goal. Benrahma is not shy to take on defences, as he averaged three dribbles per game last season, and 3.8 shots per goal.
In the Championship last season, Benrahma scored 17 goals and made nine goals in 46 appearances. He is a player that possesses great flair and would fit into the current Crystal Palace attack.
The addition of Benrahma would also give manager Roy Hodgson more options out wide, with the likes of Andros Townsend, Jeffrey Schlupp, Eze, and Zaha his options currently in the wide areas.
Benrahma’s potential arrival would also allow Zaha to permanently play as a striker/second striker, and make the Eagles deadly on the counter-attack with their pace and flair.
Stats via Whoscored
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