West Ham United and Cardiff City are reportedly locked in a two-way battle to take Espanyol youngster Alex Fernandez on loan in January.
The Spaniards are willing to farm out the promising midfielder, but are demanding a £500,000 fee from his destination club, according to The Mirror.
A product of Real Madrid's youth academy, Fernandez has played for Spain at every youth level from Under-17s up, and was player of the tournament at the 2011 U19s European Championship.
Espanyol signed the 21-year-old from Real in August.
