West Ham United have joined Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund in the race to sign £30 million Ajax ace Edson Alvarez this summer.
Jarrod Bowen’s 90th minute winner against Fiorentina in Prague not only secured West Ham their first European trophy since 1965 – Declan Rice emulating Bobby Moore after that exhausting 2-1 victory over Fiorentina – it also set David Moyes’ side back on their way to the Europa League.
All the while boosting the club’s pulling power ahead of what could be a transformative transfer window at the London Stadium.
Conference League glory is not necessarily the culmination of an era, but perhaps the beginning of one.
“It’s remarkable what this can do for a club, if they take to it like West Ham have,” Athletic reporter David Ornstein tells Sky Sports.
“It bodes well for their immediate future after some really difficult years.”
Who will replace Declan Rice at West Ham United?
Rice may be on his way – West Ham owner David Sullivan admitting as much in conversation with talkSPORT. But with around £100 million burning a hole in Moyes’ back pocket following the sale of their skipper, and with European football on the table, the Hammers may suddenly find themselves negotiating from a position of unexpected strength as they look to reinvest the money gained through Rice’s sale back into the playing squad.
BILD say that Borussia Dortmund may now face competition from West Ham for Ajax’s midfield colossus Alvarez. While not quite a like-for-like Rice replacement, the Mexican international would bring the power, poise and presence needed to offset their talisman’s departure.
Alvarez went on strike in an attempt to force a move to Chelsea last summer. Speaking to Voetbal International, the one-time Celtic target again is making no secret of his desire to move on.
“My mission here is almost complete,” Alvarez explains. “I’ve had a great time here in the past four years, and the club still feels like home. But everyone will also understand that I have achieved a lot here. I have won many prizes with Ajax.
“As a top athlete, it feels good to go for a new challenge at some point, in a different environment. A different competition.”
West Ham may have an uphill battle, however.
Dortmund, Ruhr Nachricthen report, have already agreed personal terms with Alvarez.
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