West Ham become latest club to make enquiries about Nigerian centreback Fernandez

RECENTLY relegated English Championship side West Ham have become the latest club to step up their quest for Nigerian centreback Emmanuel Fernandez having opened talks with his current club Glasgow Rangers.

Fernandez, 24,  joined Rangers from Peterborough United during the last summer transfer window in a deal reportedly worth around £3m. Peterborough's director of football Barry Fry, believes Rangers could command a transfer fee of at least £30m for the defender following his impressive start to life at Ibrox.

Over recent months, Fernandez's form has been brilliant and as a result, several of Europe’s top clubs have begun watching him. Apparently, Rangers are open to selling the defender but will demand around €40m from suitors and several clubs, desperate to shore up their squads have begun enquiring about the youngster.

According to Football Insider, the Hammers are keen to bolster their defensive ranks ahead of the 2026/27 campaign as they target an immediate return to the Premier League. Fernandez enjoyed a standout campaign last season, making 33 appearances across all competitions and contributing six goals, highlighting his threat from set-piece situations as well as his defensive qualities.

Fernandez is expected to be in action when Rangers take on West Ham in their final pre-season fixture before the Scottish Premiership season gets underway against Dundee United on July 31.  That friendly could provide West Ham's recruitment team with an ideal opportunity to assess the defender at close quarters.

West Ham are interested in strengthening their defence and view the upcoming encounter as a chance to further evaluate Fernandez's suitability for the squad. A move for Fernandez would represent a major statement of intent from the Hammers as they look to assemble a squad capable of challenging for immediate promotion.