If the rumours are true regarding Guido Rodriguez’s summer departure, then a clearout of Premier League strugglers West Ham United may be about to get underway.
And not a moment too soon, really.
Of all of Tim Steidten’s many West Ham United summer signings – much of those looking far worse on grass than they did initially on paper – Guido Rodriguez has perhaps been the most disappointing. It was clear as crystal right from the off that the experienced Argentine lacked the mobility to handle the Premier League’s trademark cut and thrust.
Having not started a match since January, there will be few tears shed if the reports are correct and that Guido Rodriguez is set to re-join River Plate in the summer. Danny Ings will not be missed either, his contract expiring, though the potential exits of Aaron Cresswell, Vladimir Coufal and Michail Antonio will resonate with the more tender side of the supporters.
As for Edson Alvarez, the £35 million oft-maligned Mexican, he is another high-profile, expensively-acquired signing for whom the phrase ‘good riddance’ feels more appropriate than ‘goodbye’.
Bayern Munich interest remains for West Ham United’s Edson Alvarez
Like Rodriguez, Alvarez is another who shone in a slower, more ponderous, less-end-to-end competition. It’s not been all bad, of course, but the influence he wielded under Erik ten Hag at Ajax has not been felt with anywhere near the same potency at the London Stadium.
Alvarez posted cryptically on social media post after West Ham were booed off against Southampton last month. A response, some had suggested, to his absence from Graham Potter’s matchday squad, even if the reason was officially labelled as a back injury.
Though having arguably racked up more red cards [two] than stand-out performances this campaign, few West Ham fans would have many complaints if Potter’s decision had been a tactical one instead.
According to reports coming out of Mexico, Edson Alvarez is a shock target for rivals Tottenham Hotspur. The prospect – albeit an unlikely one – of Alvarez being a man reborn down the road at Spurs is not something The Hammers would be too eager to risk.
There is also interest from Monaco and long-time admirers Borussia Dortmund, with West Ham hoping to recoup £30 million.
Another Mexico-based source, Julio Rodriguez, now throws Bayern Munich’s name into the ring. Talk about falling upwards. After plucking Vincent Kompany from relegated Burnley, could the German giants return to English football for another who’s reputation had taken a beating in the Premier League.
“Edson Alvarez was already wanted by Bayern Munich before signing with West Ham,” Rodriguez says.
“Monaco also sought him out at one point [as well], and everything points to him potentially living out his final days in the Premier League. It should be an interesting and busy summer for the Mexican.”
Alvarez was a Bayern target in 2023 as Joao Palhinha commits his future
A two-time Eredivisie champion with Ajax, Alvarez returns to Bayern’s radar having caught their eye during his time in the Netherlands.
“It was a very busy summer. In the last weeks [of the transfer window], I knew about the interest from Bayern,” Alvarez told Sky Sport Germany back in 2023.
“Everything can happen. I’m always open.”
The feeling is that Alvarez, should he swap the London Stadium for the Allianz Arena, is more likely to replace former Tottenham utility man Eric Dier than the West Ham-linked Joao Palhinha.
West Ham are keen on ex-Fulham enforcer Palhinha. But, just one year after he belatedly sealed a dream move to Bayern, the Portugal international is not giving up the ghost quite this early.
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