West Ham’s pulling power is waning after London rivals snatch transfer target – opinion
West Ham United's Scottish manager David Moyes reacts at the end of the English Premier League football match between Sheffield United and West Ham United at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, northern England on January 10, 2020. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Towards the end of last week, it appeared West Ham were first in line to sign Benfica midfielder Gedson Fernandes on loan – so much so that Hammers manager David Moyes even talked about the player in his press conference. But Tottenham Hotspur have hijacked the deal for the 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder, on an 18-month loan; news that was confirmed by the club on Wednesday.
Having spoken publicly and with such confidence, it will be embarrassing for West Ham to see the loan deal with an option to buy for the midfield prospect slip through their fingers and into a rival’s hands. Transfer snatching is the sort of behaviour that Spurs used to be subject to, as was the case with their pursuit of Willian, but it is indicative of where the Hammers are currently at.
In the past with former Real Madrid boss and Premier League-winning manager Manuel Pellegrini at the helm, along with a shiny new stadium and upwards ambition, West Ham was an exciting prospect for any incoming player. It was enough to entice Felipe Anderson, Pablo Fornals and Sebastien Haller to London in the hope of breaking into Europe. But with the Hammers once again in the midst of a relegation battle and Moyes returning as manager, perhaps their pulling power is beginning to wane.
Clearly, Spurs are a side who operate in a different section of the Premier League to the Hammers, but after Tottenham have had a torrid season, is it indicative of where West Ham are at that Fernandes would still prefer a Spurs move. Furthermore, Fernandes’ compatriot Jose Mourinho is not renowned for breaking through youth prospects, which is what the 21-year-old is at this stage in his career, and the competition in midfield at Tottenham is significantly tougher than at the Benfica side he has not played regularly for this season.
It would have appeared a move to the London Stadium was the more sensible of Fernandes’ options in his search to realise his tremendous potential. But by snubbing the Hammers, the midfielder has suggested that with the less glamorous Scot at the helm, and the club a point above the relegation zone, West Ham’s pulling power is diminishing from the perspective of incoming prospects from the continent.