Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez is a wanted man this summer, particularly in the form of Premier League side West Ham United. The Hammers are yet to add to their squad in the off-season and manager David Moyes believes the Mexican is just the kind of player they really need before the new season begins next weekend.
Alvarez, who turns 26 in October, has been playing his football with the Eredivisie giants since signing in 2019, and year-by-year his reputation in the game, especially on the European stage, has continued to grow. It has reached a point where he likely needs to move to a bigger domestic league to really showcase his talents to the globe.
The central midfielder, who can also play at centre back, has the kind of versatility that any manager is looking for when wanting to sign a player. However, he is unlikely to come cheap and West Ham are likely to have to part way with some substantial funds if they are to get this deal over the line.
It is though common knowledge that the club do have funds in the bank, notably from the high-profile sale of England international Declan Rice to Arsenal. That transfer was said to be worth in the region of £100million, so Ajax have that bargaining chip behind them if they are to ramp up the price to get the best deal from their perspective.
Edson Alvarez to West Ham: What we know and what's new?
It was already made public knowledge on Friday (August 4th) by the ever reliable source of Fabrizio Romano that Alvarez and West Ham had agreed personal terms. Therefore, the player has now set his heart on making a move to the UEFA Europa Conference League holders, and that it was now a case of the two clubs agreeing a fee to make it happen.
The next notable development comes again from Romano that West Ham have lodged an official bid for the Mexican, worth approximately £30million. The ball is now back in the court of the Dutch side, who although won't want to lose the player, will be aware that they are generally a selling squad and can make a substantial profit compared to when they sign him in 2019.
Ajax paid just under £13.5million to sign the player, and if they accept this bid then they are practically doubling their money four years on. Negotiations between the two clubs will continue in the form of dialogue, whilst the player himself is braced to travel to complete any potential medical at the earliest possible opportunity.
Alvarez has not featured for Ajax during pre-season after being granted extra time off after competing in the CONCACAF Gold Cup earlier this summer for his country. Therefore, should a price be agreed and West Ham sign the player, he may need a little time to adjust and get fully up to speed to his new surroundings on and off the pitch.
We await to see if Ajax deem the £30million offer acceptable, but looking from the outside it would be a bit of a surprise if he was not unveiled as a new West Ham United player relatively quickly over the coming days and maybe weeks. There is a deadline of September 1st to get this deal down, and Moyes will hope it is concluded much sooner.
