West Ham United now handed free run at Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez as Fabrizio Romano shares transfer update
West Ham United have now been handed a clear run at Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez after Borussia Dortmund pulled out of the race to sign the Mexican international, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Hammers have been identifying several targets to replace the outgoing Declan Rice, with Alavarez, Fulham’s Joao Palhinha and Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse top Moyes targets in midfield this summer.
The England international is set to complete a £100million plus £5million in bonuses transfer to Mikel Arteta’s side after Manchester City withdrew from the race for his signature, and West Ham have now been handed the perfect opportunity to secure his replacement.
Dortmund emerged as favourites for Alvarez’s signature this summer, according to Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg [14 June] but according to Romano, reporting on his Twitter page [29 June], Dortmund are no longer in the race to secure his services.
He wrote: “Understand Borussia Dortmund have now pulled out of the race to sign Edson Álvarez despite agreeing personal terms with Mexican midfielder last week.
“BVB intentioned to proceed with Emre Can as DM — and go for different players in the midfield now.”
Although Dortmund may have seemed the favourites for Alvarez’s signature this summer, West Ham United were well inclined to push even further for the player, and the stars have now seemed to align for Moyes to pursue an attractive and superb Rice replacement for next season.
The Mexican international is an exceptional player and certainly seems the ideal post-Rice capture, given his dominant showings for Ajax both at domestic level and on the European stage.
Rice’s departure is set to leave a gaping hole in the West Ham United midfield next season and they’ll desperately need a player capable of being influential both on the ball and off it, and Alvarez perfectly fits the bill.
As per FBRef, over the past year and within Europe’s top-five leagues, he ranks in the 91st percentile for progressive passes, 93rd for progressive carries and ranked fourth in the Eredivisie last season for the number of dribbles tackled (44) showcasing his destructive and influential qualities in midfield.
Certainly, Rice will be missed on the East London shores next season, but Alvarez represents the next phase in the Irons’ plans to replace him and this is a deal West Ham United must pursue, now they’ve been given the all-clear to make their move.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are now in pole position to land a Premier League-established winger with a £40m price tag on his head.