West Ham United have been linked with a move for Benfica wonderkid Gedson Fernandes and fans were excited after the player’s social media post.
According to Sky Sports and reliable West Ham insider ExWHUemployee the Hammers are serious about the Portuguese midfielder.
Sky Sports says West Ham are in talks with the 20-year-old, who has a £102million release clause.
He has not featured in Benfica’s last seven games and is thought to have fallen out with head coach Bruno Lage.
West Ham move for Fernandes
Discussions between West Ham and the Portuguese club are reportedly underway over a possible 18-month loan deal which would include an option to buy.
The player is being chased by Manchester United and three other Premier League teams.
But it is being reported that he prefers West Ham ‘for personal reasons’.
Social media post had fans excited
And Sky Sports say Benfica have conceded they will not get that kind of money for an out-of-favour player.
The Portuguese was identified and monitored by the club during Mario Husillos’s stint as director of football over the last 18 months.
Fernandes got West Ham fans excited with a post on Instagram which tellingly featured a crossed Hammers emoji when it was first uploaded.
But a few hours later Fernandes went back into the post and edited it to remove the crossed Hammers symbol.
Dream over as star removes Hammers from post?
Whether that means the move is off or he has had a change of heart is not clear.
Indeed it may mean nothing at all.
In his press conference on Friday, West Ham boss David Moyes admitted Fernandes is someone he wants to sign (Evening Standard).
And according to Sky Sports News Transfer Show West Ham are leading the chase as Fernandes is keen to move to London where his mother resides.
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