West Ham United transfer news as Edson Alvarez not a priority amid ‘Dream’ Joao Palhinha stance – Fabrizio Romano
Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez is not a transfer priority for West Ham United at this moment in time, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Romano, speaking in his caught offside Substack column (27 July), wrote the Hammers’ dream target right now is Fulham’s Joao Palhinha but it looks to be an expensive deal for the Irons to complete this summer.
The Hammers have been identifying several targets to replace the outgoing Declan Rice, with Mexican international Alvarez, Fulham’s Joao Palhinha, Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse and Juventus’s Denis Zakaria all emerging as David Moyes’ top targets this summer.
The Athletic journalist David Ornstein taking to his personal Twitter account on 14 July reported that Ajax want between £35m to £40m to consider selling the Mexican international with West Ham making contact to sign him.
However, he is not considered a priority at this moment.
“Edson Alvarez is also appreciated but is not considered a priority now, as far as I understand. West Ham’s dream target in midfield is Fulham’s Joao Palhinha, but that looks like being a very expensive deal”, Romano writes.
Strange
With the start of the Premier League season just a small number of weeks away now, the Hammers are still yet to secure their ideal man to replace Rice and there’s a case to argue that they’ll need two midfielders through the door at the London Stadium.
It’s clear to see why Palhinha is the clear favourite, but Moyes cannot afford to waste time negotiating for the Portuguese international if West Ham United aren’t confident they will secure his services.
Alvarez not being considered a priority right now is very strange, especially considering Palhinha’s recent injury development over the past week.
The Mexican is certainly the next best candidate to replace Rice and holds all the qualities and pedigree needed to be an instant hit inside the London Stadium.
Palhinha is indeed a “dream” scenario for the Hammers but the club simply have to be strategic and sensible with the way they utilise the £100m-plus fee they received from Rice’s sale. Alvarez should be the sensible target right now.
In other West Ham news, one striker may be set to leave the club after a recent transfer twist.