Manny Fernandez. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)placeholder image
Manny Fernandez. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Former Peterborough United defender Manny Fernandez has been linked with a move to Premier League side West Ham United.
The 24 year-old centre-back has been a surprise hit at Scottish Premiership level with Rangers prompting speculation he is set for a move back South of the border.
And that would be music to the ears of Posh who have a considerable sell-on fee written into the £3.5 million transfer that took him to Ibrox from London Road last summer.
Posh director of football Barry Fry slapped a £40 million price tag on Fernandez last week, even though he no longer has any say in the player’s future!
West Ham are currently fighting to stay in the Premier League, while Fernandez is busy trying to help Rangers to a top-flight title. Rangers are just three points behind long-time leaders Hearts.
Fernandez has also been rewarded with for his strong form with a first call-up to a Nigeria international squad for friendlies against Iran and Jordan in the next week.
Fernandez, who was born and raised in England, said: “When the call came in I couldn’t say no. There was no way I will turn down a chance to play for a great football nation like Nigeria. The idea is to go in there and make a mark.”
Fry’s valuation of Fernandez was mocked by pundit Don Goodman in the Daily Record. He said: “Barry's still at it! I'm assuming from his comments that Peterborough have a sell-on clause! He's not going to say he's worth £400,000, is he? Because that isn't any use to Peterborough.
"But no, look, he's done well, and as a centre-half, he has scored goals . Whenever I've seen Rangers, he's a real threat from set pieces. He's a big lad and he gets first contact with a lot of the set pieces. I haven't seen enough of him to pass a major judgement or say compare him to Virgil van Dijk, but £40m is a Peterborough tax given by Barry Fry, I would dare to suggest.”
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