West Ham are keeping a careful eye on the progress midfielder Edmilson Fernandes is making at Fiorentina where the youngster has become a regular in the Serie A team.
And at the same time that has done his international prospects no harm at all where he has been representing Switzerland this season.
He has now been involved in Fiorentina first team action in 14 games and has made three appearance for the Swiss in Nations League games against Belgium and Iceland besides featuring against England in a September friendly when his country was beaten 1-0.
The 22 year old was allowed to join the Italian outfit after a disappointing season at the Hammers where he made just 14 PL appearances with several of those as a substitute.
It is understood however, that there may be no recall clause in his loan agreement and our regular senior sourcet told us by telephone that Fiorentina hold an option to buy the player at the end of the season.
It was reported at the time that Fiorentina had an option to buy at the end of the loan period. Strange piece of business, given his age and experience. He seems to be enjoying life there, so I doubt we’ll see him in a West Ham shirt again. Let’s hope the fee matches his true market value.