West Ham United were interested in signing Alvaro Fernandez, a former Preston North End loanee, before he chose to join Granada.
According to Ideal, a Spanish news outlet, both Burnley and West Ham United made ‘proposals’ to buy Alvaro Fernandez during the summer transfer season.
Last season, the Spaniard excelled on loan at PNE, winning the club’s Young Player of the Year award.
Burnley and West Ham were both interested in signing Fernandez during the summer transfer window, as were Las Palmas and Espanyol.
Fernandez was given permission to leave Manchester United on loan and finally chose to join Granada.
David Moyes had the option of signing Alvaro Fernandez.
Fernandez would have worked under David Moyes, a PNE great, if he had moved to West Ham.
Moyes hasn’t been connected to North End since leaving for Everton since way back in 2002.
Yet we know that Moyes still has a soft spot for PNE and is sometimes seen in the stands at Deepdale watching his former club.
Moyes may well have seen Fernandez in actin for North End last season and been impressed with his talent and potential.
West Ham were looking for a young left back in case Aaron Cresswell moved on but Moyes wasn’t able to secure Fernandez.
Maybe West Ham will keep tabs on Fernandez with Granada this year, potentially launching another move for him next summer if he impresses.
Fernandez back to PNE was always a long shot
North End fans would have loved to see Fernandez come back for another season.
The 20-year-old was outstanding last season, notching four assists in 39 Championship appearances.
Fernandez admitted in July that PNE had been trying to re-sign him on loan but he was looking for something different.
Fernandez wanted to test himself at a higher level than the Championship, so any PNE interest was a long shot but if you don’t ask, you don’t get.
Maybe we will cross paths again one day down the line but PNE fans would love to see him thrive under Moyes – much more than the idea of him joining Burnley anyway!
