Discount claims emerge as West Ham United eye transfer for Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez

Ajax could bring down their asking price for Edson Alvarez which could see West Ham securing his signing, claims De Telegraaf journalist Mike Verweij.

Speaking on the Dutch publication's podcast [17 July], Verweij states that they wanted a fee close to £52million but are willing to settle for £35million.

It's understood that the Hammers should be able to pay that in order to sign the Mexico international this summer.

He said, as translated by Ajax Showtime, "Mislintat is still hoping for 50million or the 60million euro (up to £52million) they could possibly get from Chelsea (last summer), but of course, they won't get that. I think in the end they should be very happy with 40million and I think West Ham United will pay for that.

Make the bid

£35million for Alvarez is very reasonable in today's market and it's surprising why the Hammers have not yet tabled a bid for him this summer.

Declan Rice has been sold and the £100m+ transfer fee has arrived which means it's about time to get to business.

Alvarez may not be a like-for-like replacement but he's stylistically similar to the 24-year-old.

He's also capable of playing as a centre-back and that ability gives David Moyes the option to have a fluid system in and out of possession.

Many top clubs see their deepest midfielders falling into the back three and their full-backs playing like auxiliary wingers.

It could also signal a change of playing style at the London Stadium and this will be something that the fans would look forward to.

In other West Ham news, a super-rich club has launched an enquiry into a star player who could follow Declan Rice out of the door as his agent may engineer a transfer.