West Ham are reportedly looking in the direction of Rangers midfielder Connor Barron to replace Mateus Fernandes.
Hayters.com reported that the Hammers are 'interested in signing' the Scottish midfielder as Nuno Espirito Santo looks to bolster his options in the middle of the park before heading into the Championship.
The Gers have already received an approach from Serie A outfit Bologna to sign Barron, and -- while they remain 'reluctant to lose' the 23-year-old -- their resolve could be tested if the East London outfit make their interest concrete.
Replacing Fernandes is a priority for West Ham in the ongoing window, with the club confirming his £85m exit to Tottenham Hotspur on 2nd July.
As expected following Fernandes' departure, the Irons have been linked to a number of midfielders -- with Nottingham Forest midfielder James McAtee amongst those suggested.
Rangers' Barron is the latest link, and it's clear to see why after an impressive rise at Ibrox.
The midfielder emerged through the ranks at Aberdeen and was handed his first-team debut in January of 2022 in a 3–0 Scottish Cup victory against Edinburgh City.
After featuring regularly in the second half of the 2021/22 campaign, the start to his 2022/23 term was hindered by a knee injury, while the closing stages were impeded by a groin injury.
Barron endured an injury-plagued season with The Dons, but the subsequent campaign would see him feature on 42 occasions in all competitions -- attracting the interest of Scottish Premiership giants Rangers.
The Glasgow-based outfit signed the midfielder on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract in the Granite City, but it was later confirmed that Aberdeen would receive £639,920 after an SPFL tribunal.
Barron has enjoyed a stellar two campaigns with Rangers -- making 83 appearances and rarely dropping out of the team -- and so you'd suspect that the club would demand a far higher fee than the near three quarters of a million pounds that they paid for him two years ago.
Rangers will know that West Ham are not short of money after the £85m sale of Fernandes, and this may come into their thinking when setting an asking price.
