West Ham United targets Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez

West Ham United has entered a competitive race to sign Nigerian defender Emmanuel Fernandez from Rangers. The Championship side is looking to bolster its defense to secure an immediate return to the Premier League following their relegation.

West Ham is reportedly prepared to meet Rangers’ asking price of approximately £21 million. If the deal is completed, it would set a record as the most expensive sale in Rangers' history, surpassing the £19.3 million fee received for Calvin Bassey in 2023.

The 25-year-old centre-back faces competition from several European clubs, including Italy’s Atalanta and Germany’s Bayer Leverkusen. Fernandez has made six appearances for Rangers so far this season, though his recent form has drawn scrutiny following a standout previous campaign.