West Ham transfer news: Hammers star ‘interesting’ European giants

West Ham have already lost one midfielder from their ranks this summer, with Mateus Fernandes having joined Tottenham. Now, reports suggest that Edson Alvarez is ‘interesting’ a couple of big European clubs.

Whilst West Ham are keen for Alvarez to move on this window, getting him out of the door on their terms might prove more difficult that it first seems.

Personal terms a problem for Alvarez West Ham exit

West Ham shelled out big money to bring Mexico international Alvarez to East London back in 2023, agreeing a deal that is believed to have been in excess of £35m. On top of that, the player put pen to paper on a five-year deal worth around £100,000 per week.

It is unconfirmed but expectation is that he would have suffered a drop in wages following West Ham’s relegation but, even so, will remain as one of their biggest earners.

Reports out of Germany earlier in the summer suggested a deal for Alvarez to join Koln collapsed due to his wage demands.

Now, according to Sky Sports, Real Sociedad and his former club Ajax are reported to be ‘interested’ in speaking to the player.

FW verdict: Alvarez exit won’t happen quickly

Alvarez’s move to West Ham has not worked out, with neither Graham Potter nor Nuno Espirito Santo particularly keen to embed him into their plans. With Alvarez likely thinking he’s above the Championship as well, a deal for him to leave feels inevitable but there are two huge question marks.

One is who will stump up the necessary transfer fee that West Ham will want and, the other is will the player choose to take a sizeable pay cut?

We wouldn’t be overly surprised to see Alvarez hanging around at West Ham for few weeks yet, before settling on another loan exit. That's largely what happened 12 months ago with the player eventually joining Fenerbahce on a temporary basis.