Norwich City to abandon deal for 23-year-old | OneFootball

Emmanuel Fernandez had been of interest to the Canaries but now looks set to stay put at Peterborough

Norwich City have ended their pursuit of Peterborough United defender Emmanuel Fernandez, according to new reports, after they had initially submitted a sizeable transfer bid to the Posh for his services on Sunday.

Posh centre-back Fernandez has been a stalwart at the back for Darren Ferguson this season, and his impressive form has prompted interest from the second-tier in the winter window.

The 23-year-old joined Peterborough in 2021 on a two-year-deal from non-league outfit Ramsgate, after being released by Gillingham, and following a loan spell with Barnet, he has become a first-team regular over the last 12 months.

Fernandez has five goals in 33 appearances in all competitions so far this term, and with the Posh struggling in 19th place in League One, he looked set to make the step-up to the Championship with Norwich, but is now believed to be staying at the Weston Homes Stadium.

Norwich City end interest in Emmanuel Fernandez

Norwich were first reported to be interested in Fernandez on Saturday, with the PinkUn claiming that the Canaries were keen on signing the 23-year-old before Monday's deadline, but still had work to do to seal the move.

Posh boss Ferguson then provided the Peterborough Telegraph with a new update on the situation yesterday, and confirmed that a "huge" bid by an unnamed club for his player had been accepted, with said team reported to be Norwich by the PinkUn, but personal terms thought to be a potential stumbling block.

With Deadline Day now upon us, however, the Canaries have pulled out of the deal to sign Fernandez, according to the PinkUn, but personal terms were seemingly not the deciding factor in their decision.

Fernandez will now likely see out the campaign at the Weston Homes Stadium, and boss Ferguson will hope that he is able to keep one of his star players motivated as they fight to stay away from the League One relegation zone.

Peterborough will be pleased to keep Fernandez around after failed Norwich move

Fernandez is clearly well thought of at Posh, and with Norwich now not due to land his services, Darren Ferguson and supporters alike will be pleased that he looks set to play out the season in League One.

The 23-year-old was still playing non-league football in 2023, and has made just 52 EFL appearances thus far in his career, but has developed into an impressive performer in League One and is clearly highly-rated at higher-placed clubs, given the Canaries' interest.

With a Championship switch now off the cards, his main task now will be to help keep Posh above water in League One, with Ferguson's men sitting in 19th place, just five points from the bottom four, and currently in the midst of a run of just one win in their last 10 league outings.