Huge Pablo Fornals claim made as Barcelona desperately search for Gavi replacement

Add as preferred source on Google

West Ham United midfielder Pablo Fornals could be a shock transfer target for La Liga giants Barcelona in January.

Pablo Fornals has barely played for West Ham this season, but he is now being linked with an out of the blue move to Barcelona in the January transfer window according to Cadena Ser.

The Spaniard has fallen well down the pecking order under Hammers boss David Moyes over the past 12 months or so, and he has already been linked with a move to Sevilla in January.

The 27-year-old joined West Ham from La Liga side Villarreal in the summer of 2019 for around £24 million (BBC).

After making a fine start to life in East London, things have gone downhill for Fornals since October 2022.

He has made just 10 Premier League starts for the Hammers over the past 13 months 2022 (Transfermarkt). So it will be no surprise if he leaves the London Stadium this winter.

However, it would be a huge shock if he joins Barcelona…

Pablo Fornals could join Barcelona

Young Barca star Gavi, 19, is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering ACL injury whilst on international duty with Spain.

And as a result, the Spanish giants could bring Fornals to the Camp Nou in January as short-term cover for the wonderkid, according to Cadena Ser.

I’m really not sure about the reliability of this report. I mean, he has been terrible for West Ham over the past year, so why would Xavi want him to provide cover for Gavi at Barcelona?

It just doesn’t make any sense to me whatsoever, and I can’t envisage a scenario where the La Liga side would want Pablo.

It’s a shame that the former Villarreal man has regressed so badly this season and during the second half of last term.

And I reckon he’ll be off in January, or next summer at the very latest. That said, I don’t expect him to move to Barcelona – it really would be one of the biggest surprise transfers in recent history if he swapped East London for Catalonia this winter.

READ ALSO:

West Ham eyeing January window move to sign Premier League’s third fastest right-back

West Ham set to make £25m loss on Hammer next year when he leaves in the summer window

Reporter with top London Stadium source names 5 ‘frustrated’ Hammers who want out in January