West Ham United get desperate as late Edson Alvarez exit now on cards at London Stadium
Edson Alvarez's future looks to be away from West Ham, with FC Koln one of the candidates to sign him.
The Mexican midfielder fell out of Graham Potter's plans in the 2024-2025 season and was ultimately shipped out on loan to Fenerbahce.
The Turkish giants retained an option to buy the 28-year-old, but decided against taking that up.
It has left Alvarez back in East London as his future remains up in the air ahead of the Hammers' Championship season.
It does appear that the former Ajax star is also not in Nuno Espirito Santo's plans amid the latest emerging from the Irons' camp.
FC Koln need a midfielder but there could be a few hurdles to overcome first according to reports from Germany.
When could FC Koln secure Edson Alvarez transfer?
West Ham Zone has been keeping up with the interest from the Bundesliga side, with Tim Steidten set to be involved in talks for Alvarez.
While talks over Alvarez' potential move to the Cologne-based club have gone quiet over the last few weeks, they are still firmly keeping track.
That is according to BILD, who state that West Ham are "desperate to sell" the Mexican international.2
But Koln do feel that the chance of a transfer at the moment is "rather slim".
The option of the Hammers sanctioning another loan for the midfielder does remain on the cards, which could allow the German side to secure a deal.
And if the Bundesliga club were to sign the 28-year-old, BILD reveal that loan move would happen late in the transfer window.
So, the future of Alvarez could remain unresolved until the end of August.
Could West Ham afford another loan move for Alvarez?
After failing to get Fenerbahce to keep Alvarez, West Ham will be well aware that another loan would not guarantee his exit.
Even if they can agree to a deal that includes a buy option, the same scenario would emerge next summer.
But, with Alvarez' contract lasting until the summer of 2028, the Irons can afford to take that risk if no permanent solution arrives on their table.
This could be the final opportunity to send the Mexican out on loan, as if they do the same next year, his contract would run out at the end of that temporary switch.