West Ham United have suffered a blow in the race to sign Gedson Fernandes, with Everton said to be in pole position to land the Benfica midfielder.
According to The Athletic, although West Ham are interested in the 20-year-old, Everton are favourites for his signature.
Many fans have reacted to the report on social media and there’s a great sense of disappointment in the air…
Twitter: @WestHam_Central @TheAthletic Everton don’t need any scouts. They seem to wait to see who we are interested in. (@Kenwoodquay)
Twitter: @WestHam_Central @TheAthletic Well now it’s Berge or bust (@DannyStrange10)
Twitter: @WestHam_Central @TheAthletic Of course they are (@nickjohns47)
Twitter: @WestHam_Central @TheAthletic The ‘West Ham way’… (@westhamdan1980)
Twitter: @WestHam_Central @TheAthletic Why do we always seem to get outsmarted when Everton come in for a player we should h… https://t.co/GSJD9PaDey (@stronzie)
READ WEST HAM VERDICT
Declan Rice has done a good job at holding the midfield down on his own this season, with Carlos Sanchez and Jack Wilshere failing to live up to standard.
Rice has played in all 20 Premier League games with no real midfield competition so reinforcements in the position are vital this month.
Although the Hammers need a midfielder, I don’t think it’s the end of the world that Gedson is slipping away.
A more defensive-minded player is required to help Rice, with Gedson more experienced in an advanced role where Pablo Fornals is starting to come into his own.
