OPINION
What a window it has been for West Ham.
The spending spree that has brought top-calibre players of the ilk of Felipe Anderson, Jack Wilshere, Issa Diop, Andriy Yarmolenko and Ryan Fredericks to the club is unprecedented in the club’s history.
Ambition has been fused with decisiveness to replace cloak of caution and unsubstantiated big talk that has accompanied the Hammers’ efforts in previous windows.
West Ham are also proving increasingly adept at holding on to their key players – most notably Marko Arnautovic – and offloading the fringe ones for decent money.
The latest case in point is rarely-seen midfielder Edmilson Fernandes, who has made just 22 starts among 48 appearances since joining from FC Sion two years ago.
Sky Sports Italy journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed on his personal website that the 22-year-old is set to join Fiorentina on a loan-to-buy deal costing an initial £900,000 and a further £8million next summer.
Fernandes will undergo medical tests today (Sunday) and put pen to paper on a deal that means his time at the Hammers is over for good.
Such a transfer is excellent and eyecatching business from West Ham, given that the midfielder has plummeted down the pecking order following the rush of impressive new additions.
The 6ft 3in player’s spell at the London Stadium has been ravaged by injuries and only fleeting glimpses of a talent that has brought him three full Switzerland caps.
Serie A will suit his playing style and a move to Fiorentina will provide him with the opportunity to get regular game time.
The move shows West Ham are getting surprisingly adept in the transfer market.