Reliable West Ham United insider ExWHUemployee has made a new claim about a surprising January transfer target.
West Ham’s squad has been exposed as sorely lacking in several key areas during a torrid season so far.
Football Insider claims West Ham will look to sign four players this month to correct the deficiencies.
One – if not two – of those targets will be midfielders, an area where West Ham lack energy, power, pace and athleticism.
West Ham fans were underwhelmed by reports linking them with Stoke City midfielder Joe Allen last week (The Sun).
West Ham have spoken to wonderkid claims insider
But Hammers insider ExWHUemployee had a rather more exciting – if somewhat surprising – name for fans this week.
The Twitter and radio personality claims West Ham want Benfica wonderkid Gedson Fernandes.
The Portuguese was identified and monitored by the club during Mario Husillos’s stint as director of football over the last 18 months.
And West Ham remain interested according to ExWHUemployee.
“Gedson Fernandes of Benfica is someone that we have targeted and spoke to,” ExWHUemployee said on Twitter.
“He is a young midfielder who we identified when targeting young Portuguese talent and have monitored ever since.”
Fernandes identified as part of Husillos Portugal project
Xande Silva, Mesaque Dju and Goncalo Cardoso are three Portuguese talents signed by West Ham under Husillos.
A new report will leave West Ham encouraged and dismayed in equal measure over their interest in Fernandes.
Sky Sports claims Benfica are ‘open to offers’ for the 20-year-old international.
“It is thought Benfica want to loan Fernandes out for 18 months with an option to buy,” Sky Sports reports.
“Fernandes’ representatives have been in the UK and have spoken to four Premier League clubs.”
He has not featured in Benfica’s last seven games and is thought to have fallen out with head coach Bruno Lage.
West Ham have Manchester United problem
Fernandes’ release clause is £102m – but Benfica have conceded they will not get that kind of money for an out-of-favour player.
The Hammers have a big problem, though, namely David Moyes’s former club Manchester United.
According to Sky Sports Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is pushing to sign the youngster after injuries to Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay.
ExWHUemployee also conceded a deal is somewhat unlikely given the level of interest in Fernandes from elsewhere.
“However unfortunately for us many clubs are also interested including bigger ones than us,” ExWHUemployee added on Twitter.
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