Ajax promise to help Edson Alvarez exit as West Ham United eye Declan Rice replacement
Ajax have promised Edson Alvarez they will cooperate with his exit as West Ham look to make him their Declan Rice replacement, according to Telegraaf.
The Mexican international is set to leave the Eredivisie this summer, with David Moyes identifying him as the ideal replacement for outgoing captain Rice who is set to join Arsenal in a £105m deal.
But Alvarez had been set to join Borussia Dortmund until they pulled out of the deal due to Ajax’s asking price, and now Telegraaf are reporting (29 June) they will continue to help him seek an exit after making him a promise – boosting West Ham’s chances of striking a deal.
“The news from Dortmund is also a disappointment for Ajax, which Alvarez promised to cooperate with a transfer this summer,” they wrote.
Leverage
West Ham showed last summer that they are more than capable of striking deals with Europe’s elite clubs to sign top players, just as they did for Thilo Kehrer and Lucas Paqueta.
Alvarez seemingly had his heart set on a move to Dortmund, but with the Bundesliga club pulling out they are no longer an option and West Ham have got a big chance of stepping in to take him.
There is always the potential that he stays at Ajax but the Dutch club won’t be playing in the Champions League next season, which is another thing that the Hammers have in their favour.
If Ajax have promised him that he can leave they won’t be pushing their negotiations too far, and the Hammers know what needs to be done to get a deal done.
This is one that could move quickly if Tim Steidten and co. are able to strike a deal, so it’s one to keep an eye on.
In other West Ham news, Aston Villa to do battle with Hammers for attacker as £35m deal agreed.