West Ham United and Arsenal are just a couple of the clubs mentioned with signing the star from Rangers.
It’s been claimed that clubs like West Ham United will need to fork out in excess of £20m to even get Rangers thinking about selling a key asset this summer.
The Light Blues will already be planning for next term amid their current Premiership title push, sitting second and one point off leaders Hearts, ahead of next weekend’s game against Motherwell. One player who is attracting interest ahead of the summer is centre-back Emmanuel Fernandez.
West Ham United, Arsenal, Everton and a clutch of European clubs have been linked with moves for the defender who joined Rangers from Peterborough United last summer. He has proven a threat in both boxes and performances have earned him a spot in the PFA Scotland Premiership Team of the Season. Transfer journalist Pete O’Rourke insists major money will be needed to tempt Rangers as they are keen to build around the defender amid possible Champions League football next term.
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Emmanuel Fernandez Rangers future verdict
O’Rourke told the Transfer Insider Podcast: “It would take a massive fee, I think, as well for Rangers to even consider letting Fernandez go. They got him for around three and a half million from Peterborough last season. They’ll be looking for well in excess of that, probably 20 plus million, for Fernandez in this current market.
“They will try and do everything they can to keep hold of him, and they feel that, if they can offer Champions League football, that will be their best chance of keeping Fernandez for next season. He’s had a very good debut season at Rangers, Fernandez, there’s no getting away from that.
“He’s become a mainstay for Danny Rohl in Rangers’ starting 11, and has also broken into the Nigeria set-up as well, so that just shows how well he’s been playing. Look, when you’re playing well, you’re obviously going to attract interest and it does seem there is interest from Premier League clubs and some German clubs in Fernandez.
Who could be sold by Rangers this summer?
“Rangers right now, they won’t really want to let him leave. They’ll want to keep him for at least another couple of seasons. He’s under contract until 2029. If Rangers go on to win the league and qualify for the Champions League, they will need to keep hold of their best players, and Fernandez is definitely one of their better players.”
Meanwhile, O’Rourke also revealed a desire to seal Oscar Cortes’ permanent exit. He has played just 21 times since joining from Lens and has spent this season on loan at Sporting Gijon and Huracan, O’Rourke adding on the winger: “Rangers will be willing to let him move on, and it does seem that Cortes himself will be keen to make a permanent exit as well.
“For all parties, it would be probably best to move on and let Cortes get on with his future elsewhere. Maybe Rangers can use any potential money from a sale to boost their squad elsewhere in the transfer window.”
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