Do not let the new shirt number fool you, West Ham United are still very open to the idea of bringing Edson Alvarez’s Premier League adventure to a close before the window shuts.
Hammers News were told last week, by chief football correspondent Graeme Bailey, that West Ham could cut five players from Graham Potter’s squad provided they receive the sort of offers they are looking for.
Guido Rodriguez, Nayef Aguerd, Emerson Palmieri and even fan favourite Tomas Soucek are available for transfer.
This is largely because West Ham United ideally need to raise funds if they are to bring in a top midfielder – Southampton rejected a £30 million bid for Mateus Fernandes in midweek – while the current lack of movement in the departures column leaves Potter and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay in a bit of a bind.
Yet, while Edson Alvarez was handed the number four shirt vacated by Kurt Zouma a few days ago, there is still a chance that number could become available once again before the window closes.
Edson Alvarez’s agent speaks out as Ajax look to re-sign West Ham United midfielder
Guido Rodriguez is hoping for a return to Real Betis, though he is not the only midfielder who could potentially make an emotional homecoming to his old stomping ground.
Voetbal International report that Ajax are weighing up the possibility of a second spell in Amsterdam for the Mexico captain.
The Dutch giants may have to find buyers for the likes of Brian Brobbey first – West Ham failed with a bid for Ajax’s number nine in January while a move to Saudi Arabia is now on the cards – but head coach Jonny Heitinga remains a fan of a midfielder he worked with during his time as an assistant to David Moyes in 2023/24.
Voetbal International add that Ajax would prefer a one-year loan deal. Whether this is something West Ham would consider, they paid £35 million for Alvarez just two summers back, remains to be seen.
Ajax would surely have to pay the majority of his wages to make such a transfer financially feasible for the Hammers.
Nathan van Kooperen, Alvarez’s agent, now tells ESPN that an agreement is miles off as things stand, though he stops short of ruling it out entirely.
“[A return to Ajax is] difficult, but not impossible,” Van Kooperen explains. “[But] certainly not today or tomorrow.”
Jonny Heitinga is an Alvarez fan while Freddie Potts waits in the wings
Interestingly, speaking to the Evening Standard back in 2023, Moyes admitted that Heitinga played a role in Alvarez’s move to the English capital.
Before joining the Scot’s coaching staff at the London Stadium, Heitinga spent half a season in charge of Ajax before returning in May to replace Francesco Farioli.
“I met Johnny in the summer a couple of times before I brought him in,” Moyes said. “I’d had some meetings with him but I was also asking him about the Ajax players and what might be there.
“I was able to talk to Johnny about Edson and then Mo [Kudus] when he started to become a consideration.”
While talking up that previous interest from Chelsea, Edson Alvarez admitted he would like to stay in England beyond the summer transfer window. But, with the Club World Cup champions fully focused on other areas, a move to Stamford Bridge feels fanciful at this stage.
Borussia Dortmund also appear to have moved on.
West Ham may already have the Mexican’s replacement in the building. Young Freddie Potts has a lot in common with Edson Alvarez, according to the Barking-born 20-year-old himself.
“I would never compare myself at all to anyone in the Premier League because they’re all top players, but I like the way Edson plays,” Potts told the club’s official website before shining on the pre-season tour of the USA.
“I think he’s a really aggressive player and sort of matches me in the way I like to play.
“My personality definitely changes once I’m on the pitch. I like his aggressive side of the game and the tackles he can make, and the way he can control the game as well is something that I really like watching.
“So I’d probably say there are a few similarities to him.”
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