West Ham United wanted Ansu Fati last summer and it is easy to see why.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Hammers made an audacious secret bid to sign the 17-year-old from Barcelona last summer.
The report claimed “West Ham officials held talks with Fati’s family members” as then transfer chief Mario Husillos and Manuel Pellegrini actively tried to bring the star to East London.
West Ham forced Barca to tie down teenage star with huge buy-out
Mundo Deportivo reported Barcelona were so concerned about losing him to West Ham, they quickly inserted a huge £88.7million release clause into a hastily arranged three contract which an additional two year option.
Fati burst onto the scene at the Camp Nou earlier this season – as a then 16-year-old – with two goals and a number of assists in his first nine appearances for Barca.
But he was dipped in and out of the side thereafter.
Of late the world is seeing just why West Ham were so keen to try and lure the prodigious talent to London.
Former Hammers target breaks scoring record
Fati broke another La Liga goalscoring record on Sunday when he became the youngest player ever to score two goals in one match.
The teenager netted his first of the night in a crucial 2-1 win over Levante when he latched onto Lionel Messi’s through ball before finishing superbly.
Fati’s second came from another Messi pass as the Spaniard shifted it onto his left and fired home.
At 17 years and 94 days, the former West Ham target has become the youngest player to score a La Liga brace.
Can Bowen bring the magic?
Oh how West Ham could do with Fati right now.
But Hammers fans will be hoping another young talent with a pedigree left foot – Jarrod Bowen – can work his own magic in East London for the rest of the season.
Bowen was signed for £22million (The Guardian) on deadline day.
And he will likely be thrust straight into the West Ham team for the daunting trip to Manchester City next Sunday.
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