Credit: Imago

James Barker

Sat 16 May 2026 17:10, UK

Edson Alvarez could find himself playing a key role for West Ham United in the Championship if Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side are relegated.

The central midfielder has been a disappointing signing for West Ham, having joined the Hammers back in the summer of 2023 from Ajax.

It was a deal that reportedly set the Irons back £35million, but at the time, it looked to be a shrewd investment as he’d established himself as a quality player for the Dutch giants.

However, his time at the London Stadium hasn’t gone to plan, and has been spending the 2025-26 season out on loan in Turkish football with Fenerbahce.

But with a summer transfer window clear-out expected, especially if it’s Championship football on the agenda, then Alvarez could finally get his West Ham career going in the second tier.

How has Edson Alvarez fared with Fenerbahce?

Fenerbahce have the option to buy Alvarez this summer, with the permanent clause reportedly set just shy of £20m.

That would offer the Mexican international the chance of a real fresh start away from West Ham, but that doesn’t appear likely to happen for a number of reasons.

Firstly, Alvarez has missed half of the 2025-26 season after struggling with a persistent ankle problem, which was eventually corrected by undergoing surgery on it in February of this year.

He’s since returned back to fitness at the beginning of May, but his injury issues have limited him to just 18 total appearances for Fenerbahce this season, with 12 of those coming in the Turkish Super Lig.

Alvarez’s return hasn’t been well met by many Fenerbahce fans, however, and the 28-year-old was booed in his first game back by his own fans, with the Hammers loanee observed giving a bit back to them as well.

Clearly then, any kind of relationship between him and the fans has totally soured and is pretty non-existent, so it would appear very unlikely he’s back there on a permanent basis.

West Ham may have no option but to keep Alvarez

Given his Fenerbahce loan hasn’t gone to plan, West Ham may struggle to find a suitor for him this summer if they are set on selling him.

The Mexican midfielder is contracted with the Hammers until the summer of 2028 though, meaning that if no dance partner emerges, West Ham will have little choice but to keep hold of him.

If Nuno’s side are doomed to the Championship for 2026-27, a fully fit Alvarez at that level could see him being a cut above, and perhaps evolve into an integral starting role in the engine room.

Mateus Fernandes looks nailed on to leave this summer, whilst Tomas Soucek could be another out the door in the event of relegation, leaving West Ham’s central midfield options extremely light.

Alvarez could then emerge as a leading senior player in that department, and starring in the second tier could do his confidence the world of good, as well as getting his Hammers career back on track.