Rangers ‘willing to sell’ star wanted by West Ham United as ‘heavy flak’ signing could turn payday
The Ibrox star has been a revelation this season and is now attracting English Premier League attention.
Emmanuel Fernandez is being monitored by West Ham United as the Rangers defender continues his rich vein of form in the SPFL Premiership.
The 24-year old was signed by Russell Martin in the summer from Peterborough United for a fee in the region of £3m. After a shaky start, Fernandez has slowly but surely become a mainstay at the back under new boss Danny Rohl and has been praised for his composure on the ball and aerial ability.
The Hammers interest comes at a time when the defender can ill-afford any distractions as Rangers find themselves in the midst of a three-way title race. The Light Blues currently sit three points adrift of league leaders Hearts and single point behind Celtic in the league, with just eight games remaining.
Rangers ‘willing’ to offload star to West Ham
Fernandez came under criticism at the start of his career in Govan after making multiple mistakes in his first league encounter away to St Mirren. However, since the defender has turned a corner, West Ham have been tracking his progress, while Rangers could be in a position to sell him in the summer.
Prominent journalist Alan Nixon said via Patreon: “West Ham are watching Rangers centre half Emmanuel Fernandez - with the Londoner making a late breakthrough to the big time. Hammers have been alerted by the form of the big defender who was with Gillingham and Brentford as a kid. Rangers took heavy flak for signing Fernandez from Peterborough but he has come good and is attracting interest in England - with Rangers willing to sell at the right price.”
Why are West Ham looking to sign Fernandez?
At 6’ 4”, the Rangers defender has proved to be a threat in both boxes and has six goals to his name already this season. At the other end of the pitch, The Light Blues have kept a clean sheet in 10 of Fernandez’ 20 league appearances thus far.
Earlier on in the season, Fernandez put his impressive goalscoring record down to Rangers’ recently appointed set piece coach. The Englishman said: “The set-piece coach, Scott Fry, has a big impact on the team and me. We have scored a lot of goals from set-pieces, but we are doing well defensively as well. You can see we are not conceding many, and when I get an opportunity to get the ball, I attack it.
“We work with Scott as a group. It is what role you are given; you attack that area. Scott understands what I am good at. I want to keep the ball out of the net, and if I can score at the other end, then I am happy. Can I get to double figures? If that happens, then it happens. I feel I can do it, but we will have to wait and see. I don’t have a goal target. I am trying to help the team win games.”