West Ham United have held talks with AFC Ajax over the transfer of Edson Alvarez in the summer sales and Christian Falk reports the Irons have a ‘good chance’ at a deal.
Sport Bild journalist Falk has now claimed that West Ham have a seemingly clear path for a transfer with Ajax. Alvarez was appearing set to secure a switch to Borussia Dortmund after Jude Bellingham left for Real Madrid. But BVB have pulled the plug on the Mexican’s move.
Westfalenstadion boss Edin Terzic no longer feels Borussia Dortmund need to sign Alvarez after buying Felix Nmecha from VfL Wolfsburg. The head coach believes the 22-year-old is enough to replace Bellingham as Salih Ozcan and Emre Can fill the role Alvarez would hold.
West Ham have a ‘good chance’ at Edson Alvarez’s transfer
So, Borussia Dortmund have informed both Alvarez’s agents and Ajax that they are now no longer actively pursuing his transfer. Thus Falk claims that there is also now a ‘good chance’ that West Ham go after Alvarez. The Irons are advancing their quest to replace Declan Rice.
The Hammers released a statement on Saturday morning confirming that Rice had left the club for a British record fee. But before his departure was done, The Athletic reported this Friday that West Ham had opened talks with Ajax for Alvarez’s transfer to London Stadium.
The Hammers are expected to make Ajax their opening offer
David Ornstein reported for The Athletic that West Ham informed Ajax of their interest in a transfer for Alvarez. He also noted that while the Irons are yet to submit a bid, the club are expected to submit their first bid imminently. While Ajax value Alvarez at around £35-40m.
Alvarez nearly left Ajax last summer but De Godenzonen rejected Chelsea’s last-ditch bid as they did not have the time to sign a replacement. He went on to play 44 games in 2022/23 in all competitions for four goals and three assists. He scored once in the Champions League.
Yet Alvarez and Ajax could not add a third consecutive Eredivisie title to his trophy cabinet. He had won the Dutch title in 2020/21 and 2021/22 after making his move to Europe with Ajax in 2019. Erik ten Hag took the 63-cap 25-year-old from his academy club, CF America.
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