Could Tim Steidten become an unlikely hero in West Ham United’s summer? There are growing reports that the former technical director wants to rescue Edson Alvarez from his East London nightmare.
It really is the least he could do.
Steidten wasted £120 million of valuable funds on James Ward-Prowse, Niclas Fullkrug, Luis Guilherme and Max Kilman. Three of the four remain at West Ham United to this day. Tim Steidten may be long gone – he departed his role as technical director 17 months ago – but his impact on the Hammers’ resources remains keenly felt.
Take a look at West Ham’s ins and outs this summer – What deal stands out most to you?
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But if Steidten was to take Edson Alvarez to Koln, well, it’s a stretch to suggest that all will be forgiven, forgotten and swept under the rug.
But if the Director of Squad Planning at the Cathedral City removes the Mexican’s £100,000-a-week pay packet from West Ham’s wage bill, he would have partially made amends for a £35 million misfire.
Tim Steidten wants to rescue Edson Alvarez at West Ham United
According to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Alvarez is open to reuniting with Steidten in Germany.
Willingness is one thing. The financial aspect is another, arguably greater challenge. Alvarez would obviously have to take a substantial pay cut, and that is without mentioning the price-tag.
Yet, Koln suddenly have an extra £17 million to play with. A week after West Ham sold Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham for £85 million, Jakub Kaminski also becomes the second-biggest sale in his club’s history.
The highly-rated Poland international joins Benfica for 20 million euros following a campaign in which he produced seven Bundesliga goals and five assists to keep Koln on the right side of the relegation zone.
Alvarez would not be a like-for-like replacement. Kaminski is a wide or attacking midfielder, whereas the Mexico skipper likes to play in front of the back four. But if money was the biggest obstacle in their pursuit of Alvarez, the sale of Kaminski could help to navigate that hurdle.
Bundesliga outfit Koln identify Alvarez as an ambitious target
Bild add that Koln are also set to receive £41 million in TV revenue this season after securing their place in the Bundesliga. That is a nice upgrade on last season’s tally.
If Edson Alvarez RETURNED to West Ham this summer, how would you respond? 🇲🇽
And which player would be most worried by his comeback?
It has also been indicated that, desperate as they are to get him out the door, West Ham may be willing to accept a loan deal for Alvarez, with a future sale price of below £10 million.
The Hammers missed out on a cool £19 million when Turkish giants Fenerbahce opted against turning his temporary deal into a permanent one earlier this summer. Alvarez was restricted to ten Super Lig games due to injury. His value is likely to have plumetted further since then.
“Is FC Koln really going for someone like that? Yes! It’s part of a deliberate new strategy,” explain Express, a publication based in the Cathedral City.
“FC Koln is reaching for the top tier; exploring options that – at first glance – seem unrealistic. [They] want to be ready to pounce if the door even opens a crack during the transfer window.”
Thanks to a combination of Kaminski’s sale, greater TV revenue, West Ham’s desperation to get rid, and the Tim Steidten factor, a signing that initially felt unlikely now appears increasingly possible.
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