Fernandez may hold the key to West Ham Gomez deal

Celta Vigo have agreed to sign Uruguayan forward Gabriel Fernandez from Penarol this summer in a €4m deal, claim reports in Spain. Various media reports in Uruguay in recent days say the deal between the clubs is done and personal terms agreed in principle.

Fernandez has netted 13 goals in 36 appearances this season for the Uruguayan giants having joined from Racing Montevideo last summer. Throughout his career in Uruguay, he has 30 goals in 101 games and has been linked with a call-up to the national team. Fernandez will not join Celta Vigo side until summer and will compete for Penarol in the Copa Libertadores this year.

A social media post from his parent club today says the player is flying to Spain at 2 pm local time to complete a medical with Celta Vigo and sign a pre-contract to join the Spanish team in the Summer.

Fernandez is widely tipped as Maxi Gomez’s replacement and is rumoured to be the primary reason where they don’t want to release him until the end of the season. Celta Vigo are fighting relegation and believe Gomez’s goals could be vital for survival.

As usual in transfer deals, there is a domino effect where one deal relies on another to complete first.