West Ham at final stage of Edson Alvarez exit, terms now agreed

Graham Potter cannot seem to get his midfield selection right, as Edson Alvarez closes in on his West Ham United exit.

Alvarez has been pushing for a move away after a disappointing 2024/25 season, where he played 28 times and managed to contribute just one assist.

West Ham had been targeting at least two midfielders this summer anyway, with James Ward-Prowse and Guido Rodriguez showing that they aren’t good enough against Sunderland.

With Alvarez closing in on an exit from East London, the Hammers look even more depleted going into the Friday fixture against Chelsea on 22 August.

Graham Potter on the touchline in West Ham training gear.
Credit: Imago

Fenerbahce agree terms for Alvarez

After Carlos Soler returned to Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season, Potter has been on the lookout for new midfielders.

Mateus Fernandes is a key target for West Ham, but they appear unwilling to pay Southampton’s £50million asking price.

They will now be left even more short of central midfielders, after agreeing terms for a loan move with Fenerbahce for Alvarez.

According to Fabrizio Romano on X, the Turkish side will pay a loan fee, his full salary, and have a buy option clause that’s not mandatory.

However, there has yet to be an agreement on the move by the player himself, and with the Mexican pushing for a move away from the London Stadium, he may be having doubts about Fenerbahce.

Alvarez’s decision on the move will be crucial to deciding what West Ham does next in their search for a new midfielder.

The midfielder is currently on £100,000 a week, so recouping the money would allow them to push on in the transfer window.

Ward-Prowse could be next to leave West Ham

Ward-Prowse hasn’t lived up to expectations at West Ham following his move from Southampton.

With the midfielder on £115,000 a week, the Irons could look to sell him to finance more signings, but that would be a risk with the season already underway.

His potential departure would also help West Ham balance the books for Profit and Sustainability rules.

It’s clear that the Hammers need to get better, and the only way they look like doing that is by selling to buy, such are the dire straits around them.

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