West Ham United have free run at £40m Edson Alvarez transfer after Borussia Dortmund twist
West Ham United have a free run at signing Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez this summer after talks with Borussia Dortmund collapsed, according to Christian Falk.
The Dutch side have promised they will cooperate with the Mexican international’s exit this summer, boosting the Hammers’ chances of signing him as a replacement for the exit-bound Declan Rice. [Telegraaf, 29 June]
Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor previously reported that a fee in the region of £40million would be enough for Ajax to consider sanctioning the 25-year-old’s sale.
“Dortmund told Edson Alvarez’s agent that the deal is off,” Falk wrote in his CaughtOffside column.
“Ajax is also informed now because Terzic has decided that Salih Ozcan and Emre Can are enough for this position.
“So they’ll save money and have more left over for the Nmecha deal. Of course, this now means that West Ham have a free run at trying to sign Alvarez.”
Boost
With Rice set to confirm his departure from the London Stadium over the coming days, replacements are needed, and fast.
Now that the England international is leaving, David Moyes has limited resources in the middle of the park, with just Tomas Soucek and Flynn Downes to call upon in central midfield.
A deal for Alvarez, therefore, makes total sense, and for a reasonable fee of £40million, what is there not to like?
The Mexican has a wealth of experience playing in Europe and competing for trophies on a regular basis, something that will aid the Hammers in the Europa League next season.
Now that Borussia Dortmund have pulled out of the race, the door is now ajar for West Ham to barge through.
Moyes shouldn’t be afraid to use the financial firepower at his disposal to get this one over the line as soon as possible. The longer the wait for signings goes on, the less prepared the first team will be for the upcoming Premier League season.
The Hammers need to strike while the iron is hot.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are targeting a move for towering 18 year old sensation.