Real Betis CEO Ramon Alarcon has blamed West Ham for their failure to complete a transfer for Pablo Fornals on deadline day.
The Spaniard would part ways with the Hammers after five years of service, with Betis agreeing to a fee of eight million euros for his services.
The 27-year-old has struggled for pitching time this season – starting just four games in the Premier League under David Moyes – and was hoping a move to LaLiga would increase his minutes.
However, the deal was ultimately never confirmed and Alarcon claimed Betis had done everything they could, while insisting he had not given up hope that they would be given the green light to complete the move.
Speaking late on deadline day, he said: ‘There was a problem with Fornals at the last minute, we think it was a computer problem.
Real Betis CEO Ramon Alarcon blamed West Ham after their deal for Pablo Fornals fell through
Fornals is set to join the LaLiga team after the two sides agreed a fee of €8m (£6.8m).
But the move never got off the ground and Betis blamed West Ham for a computer problem
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‘Betis sent all the documents correctly and on time and it appears that West Ham had a computer problem.
‘It wasn’t just with Betis, it was also with other deals (they had). We hope it will be resolved in the coming days.”
Asked if he was optimistic about it, he added: “Well, it’s done on both sides. We can imagine that this can be solved with a computer error. We are working on it and we are optimistic.’
Moyes agreed with Alarcon on Friday that a deal for Fornals could probably still go ahead.
He said: ‘I think the Pablo deal has a chance of being ratified. I think we completed the paperwork just before the deadline, I understand. But again, I couldn’t confirm at this time whether or not this will happen.
‘It was difficult to let them all go, but ultimately football clubs and players want to move on and try something different.
“Maybe they’re missing out on playing time because they don’t have as much as what they had. They want to play and I respect that.’
Betis are managed by former Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini, the coach who brought Fornals to east London five years ago.
The collapse of Fornals’ transfer comes after Saïd Benrahma’s move to Lyon also failed on deadline day, with the French club releasing an explosive statement accusing West Ham of ‘incomprehensible behaviour’.
Benrahma completed his medical treatment in France on deadline day but Lyon have accused the Premier League club of failing to submit the required paperwork despite constant reminders, adding that they have shown ‘a deep disrespect’ towards them and the player.
It is understood that West Ham are unhappy with the response as they feel they are simply running out of time after negotiations with Benrahma’s representatives proved difficult throughout the day.
Lyon plans to appeal to ensure the transfer goes ahead.
In an angry statement, Lyon said: ‘In the early evening, when Olympique Lyonnais had entered all the administrative data into FIFA’s dedicated platform (FIFA TMS), West Ham had never launched any technical procedure on its part, despite the repeated reminders and continued OLs. mutual telephone communication.
‘In the absence of this reciprocal action from the English club and because of this incomprehensible behavior, which raised questions, the international transfer certificate could not be applied for before closing time.
‘Olympique Lyonnais deeply regrets this situation and this decision, which shows a deep lack of respect on West Ham’s part for the institution and the player.
The failure of Fornals’ transfer comes after Saïd Benrahma’s transfer to Lyon also failed
Lyon accused the Premier League club of failing to submit the required paperwork despite constant reminders, adding that they had shown ‘a deep disrespect’ towards them.
“The club reserves the right to initiate any appropriate procedures necessary to validate the operation at a later date, and to hold West Ham to account if necessary.”
Benrahma had agreed to join Lyon on loan, with a £15 million release clause.
The Hammers were kept busy on deadline day with a dull 1-1 draw against Bournemouth, a match in which Moyes complained about the lack of a left winger.
They sit sixth, just seven points off the top four, and travel to Old Trafford to take on Man United on Sunday.