It’s a done deal and David Moyes has reacted as West Ham finally announce Edson Alvarez as their first signing of the summer window.
West Ham have today announced the signing of Mexico defensive midfielder Edson Alvarez from Ajax in a deal reportedly worth up to £34m.
As reported by Hammers News on Monday morning, West Ham came to an agreement with Ajax over the fee having already agreed terms with the 25-year-old destroyer.
The Hammers have had to wait until two days before the new Premier League season to break their summer transfer window duck.
Done deal: David Moyes reacts as West Ham finally announce Edson Alvarez as first signing of the summer window
But supporters will be hoping it has been worth the wait with Alvarez providing much-needed defensive steel in midfield following the departure of Declan Rice.
The deal makes Alvarez the most expensive Mexican in the history of football.
He will follow in the footsteps of compatriots Guillermo Franco, Pablo Barrera and Javier Hernandez in signing for West Ham.
But rumours he will earn more than striker the £145k Hernandez was on per week at West Ham have been denied by a board insider.
It’s a done deal and David Moyes has reacted as West Ham finally announce Alvarez as their first signing of the summer window.
Speaking on the club’s official website, Moyes said he is excited by the signing.
Moyes delighted to sign ‘lion heart’ Alvarez and stats show he is better than Rice in five key areas
“We’re really pleased to add Edson to our squad,” Moyes told whufc.com.
“The midfield area was one we were especially keen to strengthen this summer – and Edson will complement the other options we have in that department.
“He’s an experienced international player, who has enjoyed great success for both club and country during his career to date.
“We’re excited about welcoming to West Ham and seeing him play his part in English and European competition for the Club.”
Here on Hammers News we took an in-depth at how Alvarez and Rice compare in six key areas.
And there was very good news for West Ham. Because the new man Ajax fans nicknamed ‘lion heart’ is better than Rice in five of those six areas.
We looked at passing accuracy, progressive (forward) passes per game, progressive carries per game, tackles and interceptions per game, blocks and clearances per game and aerials won per game.
Alvarez has cost West Ham less than a third of the price Arsenal paid for Rice.
But he comes out on top of Rice in all those areas except tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes. And even in that area the difference is very marginal with less than 0.7 in it.
A video highlight reel of Alvarez will excite West Ham fans and can be viewed here.