West Ham United are quietly laying the foundations for a major January signing, with 17-year-old Barcelona player Pedro Fernandes already being seriously considered.
Alan Nixon says the Hammers have begun compiling a dossier on the Spanish wonder player and are aiming to act before his reputation “derails”.
While the club awaits its first win under new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, this move suggests the board is already looking ahead and focusing on signing players who are meant to make a difference in the future.
Pedro Fernandes made a good impression at Barcelona
The interest in Fernandes comes on the back of his rapid rise through Barcelona’s youth hierarchy.
He made his senior debut for the Catalan giants in September and featured prominently in their Champions League campaign.
The winger, who was promoted from La Masia’s Under-19s and UEFA Youth League to the first team within a few months, has attracted attention not only for his advanced technique, but also for his quick integration into the squad in training and on match days with the senior team.
He is versatile and can function as both an inside forward and a high-pressing wide attacker.
With Barcelona aware of Fernandes’ potential, any suitor could face the same bidding war and valuation inflation as other La Masia stars.
West Ham are ready to win the race for Fernandes
West Ham’s early documentation is therefore a tactical attempt to act quickly before the market moves higher.
In that sense, the club is following the same blueprint that has seen it succeed in securing young talent ahead of rival interest.
The club will need to manage his development carefully to ensure he is not burdened with expectations prematurely.
Whether this deal materializes will depend on negotiations, evaluation and the club’s ability to incorporate young talent into a squad seeking stability. But so far, early preparations suggest that West Ham are seriously interested in signing the Barcelona youngster.
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