West Ham the big winners as blockbuster Man United transfer is announced

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West Ham are the big winners as a blockbuster Man United transfer is announced with the reverberations felt strongest in east London.

West Ham and Manchester United have already done business together this window.

The Hammers struck a £15m deal with the Red Devils to bring Aaron Wan-Bissaka back to London.

But the shadow of Man United has loomed large over West Ham ahead of the summer transfer window deadline on Friday.

There has been a very clear pattern to much of Erik ten Hag’s transfer business at Man United in that he has looked to bring in players who worked with him at Ajax.

But there has been something of a running joke that Manchster United have failed to sign ‘the only good one’ in the shape of West Ham star boy Mohammed Kudus.

That is not quite accurate, though.

West Ham signed Edson Alvarez from Ajax as well as Kudus last summer.

And there has been a very real threat of Ten Hag continuing his transfer pattern after being linked with another reunion by bringing West Ham’s midfield ace Alvarez to Old Trafford.

West Ham have admitted they are at their limit for PSR and spending after a busy summer which has seen eight players arrive.

So when speculation from earlier this summer that Man United could come knocking for Alvarez reignited last week, it sparked concern at the London Stadium.

Hammers fans have voiced fears the club might be gearing up to sell one of its star players to balance the PSR books.

West Ham concern over Man United’s Alvarez interest

Just a couple of months ago fan favourite midfielder Alvarez was being linked with a move to Manchester United.

Mexican did little to play down reports of a reunion with Ten Hag.

“I can only tell you that I’m focused on what I have to do,” the Hammers star said, as reported by ESPN in June.

“I know that the Copa America is a very important tournament where the eyes of the world are basically here.

“Later there will be time to see what there is or what there isn’t.”

A pretty serious hamstring injury at Copa America dampened that noise.

That was until Fabrizio Romano dropped a double bombshell about Alvarez.

Romano claimed not only that the midfielder – who had yet to train properly with the Hammers under new boss Julen Lopetegui – would be back for the game against Palace, but also that clubs were still interested in signing the 26-year-old.

A prominent West Ham insider said it would be a ‘miracle’ if Alvarez returned to the squad for Palace.

But he duly did, prompting further concern that it was to prove his fitness to Man United before deadline day.

There has been a massive development today, though.

West Ham big winners in blockbuster Man United transfer

And West Ham are the big winners as a blockbuster Man United transfer is announced.

Because it is being widely reported by the likes of BBC Sport that Manchester United are about to sign PSG midfield Manuel Ugarte for £42m.

Reports claim Man United have agreed a 50m euros (£42.29m) fee with Paris St-Germain for midfielder Ugarte.

The deal also includes a potential for 10m euros (£8.46m) in additional payments.

It is also claimed Ugarte could fly to Manchester for a medical later on Tuesday.

Ugarte is a combative defensive midfielder who specialises in tackling, interceptions and wining back possession in the middle of the park.

The 23-year-old Uruguayan is almost a carbon copy of Alvarez in the way he plays.

Man United links to Ugarte had gone quiet after the move was touted earlier this summer.

But the deal was suddenly back on overnight and West Ham are clearly the big winners here.

Manchester United are getting a superb player who has – like many before him – struggled to establish himself at box of frogs PSG.

But this almost certainly means Alvarez will now be staying at West Ham in what is arguably the club’s best transfer news of the summer.

It comes after Alvarez spoke out to address rumours about his West Ham future over the weekend.

Alvarez is absolutely fundamental to this West Ham side.

Lopetegui can now focus on building his new-look team around Alvarez as the Hammers look to try and challenge the likes of Man United for the European spots this season.