West Ham United are quietly preparing the ground for a major recruitment drive in January, with one name already under serious consideration, 17-year-old Pedro Fernandez from Barcelona.
The Hammers have started building a dossier on the Spanish prodigy and are aiming to act before his valuation “goes crazy”, according to Alan Nixon.
As the club awaits its first win under new head coach Nuno Espírito Santo, the move suggests that the board is already looking ahead and focusing on signings expected to make a difference in the future.
Pedro Fernandez impressed at Barcelona
The interest in Fernandez follows a meteoric rise through Barcelona’s youth ranks.
He made his debut for the Catalan giants in September and features prominently in their Champions League campaign.
Having moved from La Masia U-19s and the UEFA Youth League to the first team in a matter of months, the winger has attracted attention not only for his advanced technique, but also for his rapid integration into senior team training and match squads.
He offers versatility, able to operate as an inside forward or a wide forward with high pressing.
Barcelona are aware of Fernandez’s potential, meaning any suitor may face offer competition and valuation inflation similar to other La Masia stars.
West Ham ready to beat competition to sign Fernandez
The first compilation of West Ham’s dossier is therefore a tactical attempt to act quickly before the market rises.
In this sense, the club follows the same model that allowed it to successfully recruit young talents ahead of the interests of its rivals.
The club will need to manage its development carefully, ensuring it is not prematurely burdened by expectations.
Whether the deal materializes will depend on negotiations, valuation and the club’s ability to integrate young talent into a team seeking stability. But for now, early work suggests West Ham are seriously interested in signing the Barcelona youngster.
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