West Ham have been linked with a move for Bruno Fernandes, and the Portuguese playmaker would be one of the signings of the summer.
What’s the story?
According to Sky Sports, the Hammers have tabled a £20m bid for Fernandes, who racked up a truly remarkable 20 assists last season for Sporting CP.
The 23 year-old playmaker is expected to join a number of Sporting CP players and terminate his contract this summer, after a gang of fans attacked the first team.
However, this would not be an effortless free transfer, as the Portuguese club would likely sue the player for breaching his contract. Offering the club a quick way out with a £20m bid is actually a very savvy business move from the Hammers.
Fernandes has been linked on multiple occasions since the injury to Manuel Lanzini, but this is the first concrete report of an actual bid.
The report from Sky claims Sporting will want closer to £25m, which would still be a bargain for such an effortlessly cool player.
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What’s all the fuss about?
It’s not often absolutely everyone is on board with a new signing, but fans were all jumping on the Fernandes train yesterday when they heard about the bid. The 23 year-old already has eight caps for Portugal, and his breakout season was truly special.
Valued at £27m by Transfermarkt, the young playmaker grabbed 16 goals and 20 assists, and his ability to weave past players before picking the right pass is matched by very few players in world football right now.
He is best as a number ten, but can play anywhere across the midfield, even making ten appearances last season as a defensive midfielder.
The 23 year-old is a set piece wizard and loves whipping crosses in, so if Andy Carroll can stay fit he would certainly benefit from the youngster’s arrival.
His intelligence is his greatest asset, able to effortlessly drift into space without anyone even noticing. His calmness on the ball then affords him plenty of time to get his head up and pick a pass, helping him average well over two key passes per game last season.
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Above all else, the Hammers would be getting one of Europe’s elite playmakers. To put his 20-assist season in perspective, the incredible Kevin De Bruyne registered 21 assists in his final season with Wolfsburg before moving to Manchester.
So, West Ham fans, do you want a move for Fernandes? Do you think you can pull it off? Let us know your thoughts by voting in the poll below…
