Report: Aston Villa and West Ham pass on Said Benrahma as Crystal Palace step up

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Aston Villa and West Ham United have passed up the opportunity to sign Said Benrahma, with The Sun reporting that Crystal Palace look set to win the race to land the Brentford star.

Benrahma has been linked with many Premier League clubs following the Bees’ agonising end to last season. The 25-year-old scored 17 goals in the Championship last season.

Interestingly however, The Sun reports that both the Villans and Hammers have stepped aside in the race to sign the Algerian.

And it is suggested that their stance has prompted Palace to make their move. The Sun reports that the Eagles are now set to sign the £20 million-rated playmaker.

The report notes that Palace had been reluctant to get involved in a bidding war. And that is why they have seemingly waited until their rivals for his signature had backed out of the chase before they made their move.

TBR View: West Ham and Villa may rue Benrahma stance

It looks set to be another good piece of business from Roy Hodgson’s men. They have already brought in the likes of Nathan Ferguson and Eberechi Eze off the back of their impressive spells in the second tier.

And at £20 million, Benrahma could arguably prove to be an inspired signing.

It is not clear why West Ham and Villa have backed away. And it will be very interesting to see if they make a last-ditch attempt to stop him going to Selhurst Park.

Benrahma, of course, is yet to play in the Premier League. But perhaps it may actually prove to be the Irons and Dean Smith’s side who have taken the bigger gamble if he indeed joins Palace.