West Ham United are interested in signing Rangers midfielder Connor Barron as Nuno Espirito Santo looks to strengthen his squad after Mateus Fernandes’ departure.
Hayters reports that West Ham are keen on the 23-year-old, with Bologna also interested. The Italian club have approached Rangers, but the Scottish side are reluctant to lose Barron.
The midfielder made 37 appearances in all competitions last season after joining Rangers from Aberdeen.
Barron’s name carries an obvious West Ham link. The Hammers recently appointed former Rangers technical director Nils Koppen as director of player recruitment, a move ReadWestHam covered earlier this month.
Koppen helped bring Barron to Rangers from Aberdeen. That makes the reported interest logical as West Ham reshape their midfield.
Barron Link Fits West Ham Rebuild
West Ham need more options in the middle of the pitch after Fernandes’ £85m move to Tottenham.
ReadWestHam looked at that sale as a major rebuild lever for Nuno, but the money still has to be used carefully.
Barron would fit a different type of deal. He is young, already senior-tested and known to Koppen from his Rangers spell.
The interest also comes at a time when West Ham are expected to accelerate transfer work. ReadWestHam reported this week that Nuno and Koppen’s talks were expected to shape the next phase of the window.
Rangers’ stance is the first obstacle. Bologna’s interest is another.
West Ham cannot afford to drift, though. Fernandes has gone, departures may continue, and Nuno needs a midfield built for an immediate Premier League return.
