Sevilla have announced their second signing of the summer, with the addition of Gerard ‘Peque’ Fernandez coming in from Racing Santander. The 21-year-old will cost Los Nervionenses €4m.
Generally operating behind a striker, Peque has played out wide and up front, but was effective for Racing Santander last season, scoring 19 goals and giving 3 assists in 41 appearances last season. Originally from the Barcelona academy, he has experience working with new manager Garcia Pimienta. He signs a four-year deal with the club, and becomes their second signing after winger Chidera Ejuke. Central defender Federico Gattoni has also returned to his native Argentina on loan at River Plate.
On a different note, Relevo say that one of Peque’s competition for the roles up front, Lucas Ocampos, is likely to be one of the four captains at Sevilla. Jesus Navas will captain the side until his retirement at the end of 2024, but once he does so, all four of the captains that started last year, Fernando Reges, Navas, Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Ramos will be gone. Serbian Nemanja Gudelj is another candidate for one of the four roles, but Pimienta is yet to choose his four.
It will be interesting to see how Pimienta uses Peque. Traditionally at Barca Atletic, he would be used as a number nine or out wide, but he has shown just how useful he can be off a striker. All the same, Garcia Pimienta tends towards a midfield without that position.
