We are only two games into the Premier League season, and alarm bells are already ringing at West Ham United.
Graham Potter's side look like they could be heading for a relegation battle this season unless something changes, and fast.
Fortunately, the club are now making moves in the transfer market, with Soungoutou Magassa having a medical this week and a deal finally being agreed for Mateus Fernandes.
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However, they aren't done there either, as the Hammers are now being linked with an international who'd be an upgrade on the Southampton star.
West Ham target Fernandes upgrade
West Ham have been subject to a few transfer sagas this summer, but one of the more significant ones has concerned Fernandes.
Over the last few weeks, the Hammers saw two offers for the midfield maestro rejected by Southampton, but finally, for a fee in excess of £40m, they've got their man.
The Portuguese ace is an exciting addition to Potter's squad, but it now looks like the East Londoners are targeting someone who'd be an even better signing.
Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon in action with Southampton's Mateus Fernandes
Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon in action with Southampton's Mateus Fernandes
At least that is according to a recent report from Spanish publication AS, as relayed by Sport Witness, which claims West Ham are interested in Conor Gallagher.
In fact, the report has revealed that the Hammers are one of a number of teams set to make an offer for the Englishman in the coming hours.
The story claims that Atlético Madrid would let the former Chelsea star leave for a fee of up to €40m, which is about £35m.
While that is a lot of money, Gallagher would be worth it, especially as he'd be a better signing than Fernandes.
How Gallagher compares to Fernandes
Now, the first thing to say is that Fernandes does look like he'll be a great signing for West Ham, and is someone who will undoubtedly improve the quality of the squad.
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However, it's also true that, for our money, Gallagher would be the better signing, and the first reason relates to their respective experience.
At this point, the former Chelsea star has made 170 appearances in a top-five league, with 136 in the Premier League and 34 in La Liga.
On top of that, he's made 17 appearances in the Champions League and won 22 senior caps for England.
On the other hand, the Saints gem has made just 36 appearances in a top-five league and never played for his national side.
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Sevilla's Juanlu Sanchez in action against Atletico Madrid's Conor Gallagher.
In other words, he is still a relatively raw player, whereas the Englishman is a seasoned professional and just the sort of midfielder you want in a team struggling to stay afloat.
On top of being a far more proven star, the Epsom-born monster was also more of an attacking threat last season, despite generally playing deeper.
For example, in the 47 appearances he made for Atleti prior to the Club World Cup, which totalled 2446 minutes, he scored four goals and provided six assists.
That means the "sensational" international, as dubbed by reporter John Cross, averaged a goal involvement every 4.7 games, or every 244.6 minutes.
Gallagher vs Fernandes in 24/25
Players
Appearances
Minutes
Goals
Assists
Goal Involvements per Match
Minutes per Goal Involvement
All Stats via Transfermarkt
In contrast, the Olhão-born gem scored three goals and provided six assists in 44 appearances, totalling 3409 minutes.
That means that he maintained a decent, but less impressive, average of a goal involvement every 4.88 games, or more crucially, every 378.77 minutes.
England's John Stones, Ben Chilwell, Declan Rice, Phil Foden, Conor Gallagher and Anthony Gordon
England's John Stones, Ben Chilwell, Declan Rice, Phil Foden, Conor Gallagher and Anthony Gordon
Ultimately, while Fernandes will be a good signing for West Ham, Gallagher has the potential to be an even better one.