West Ham transfer news: ‘Conflicting’ Benfica and Koln interest in Mexico World Cup star

Edson Alvarez, who starred in four of Mexico’s five matches at the World Cup, has his future up in the air following a one-year loan at Fenerbahce.

The 28-year-old joined West Ham United in the 2023/24 season, making 73 appearances, before moving to Turkey on loan.

As he makes his way back to London, it seems his future lies elsewhere. Benfica and FC Koln are the two teams in the race to sign the defensive midfielder.

West Ham transfer news: Contrasting reports circle Mexico captain

Alvarez was first linked to FC Koln, with the German outfit seeking to bolster their backline in a bid to stay comfortably afloat in the Bundesliga for a second consecutive season.

Most recently, Marco Silva’s Benfica are said to have taken interest in signing the former Ajax man, according to reports from Mexico.

However, that has been watered down by Portuguese outlet O Jogo who have dismissed the rumours, reports Sport Witness. He is reportedly not a top target for the Eagles – the club is weighing other options.

West Ham have slapped a £15m price tag on the player, which Benfica consider high. Alvarez has two years left on his West Ham contract, and the club want to make the most of it.

As things progress, Koln are not entirely out of the picture. Initial contact has reportedly been made with Alvarez’s entourage.

FW Verdict: A versatile warrior worthy of the spotlight

Edson Alvarez may not have enjoyed the best of seasons at Fenerbahce in 2025/26, appearing only 12 times. But he bounced back on the world stage with convincing performances for El Tri at the World Cup, even captaining his side to victories against South Korea and Czech Republic.

West Ham’s relegation to the Championship is certainly a motivating factor for his potential exit.

Playing at Benfica under Marco Silva, who revived his national teammate Raul Jimenez’s career at Wolverhampton Wanderers, is an interesting prospect.

So is joining a club as passionate as FC Koln, who are aiming for a top-half Bundesliga after finishing 14th last term.

One thing is for sure, he would be an interesting addition to any side, given his versatility in midfield and defence, ball-winning ability and impressive work rate.