Liverpool’s pursuit of Southampton’s young talent Romeo Lavia remains fervent, though the available options in the market are rapidly diminishing. This trend was confirmed by Florian Plettenberg on Twitter, who pointed a move toward Edson Alvarez from Ajax to West Ham, signaling the narrowing scope of quality signings.
Liverpool Weren’t Serious for Alvarez
While Liverpool’s interest in the 25-year-old Mexican midfielder had waned since February, when Jurgen Klopp’s side was said to be among several Premier League clubs monitoring the player, it was apparent that Alvarez wasn’t a primary target for the club this summer.
Reds in Need of No. 6
This shift towards untested prospects, such as the audacious Romeo Lavia and the calculated gamble in Fluminense’s Andre, has led to concerns about the depth of the talent pool.
The loss of specialist No. 6 Fabinho has only amplified the need for reinforcements, especially with the challenging opener against Chelsea on August 13 looming.
Concurrently, West Ham have been actively engaged in securing Ajax’s defensive midfielder Edson Alvarez.
West Ham’s First Signing
Having parted ways with Declan Rice for a staggering £105 million, West Ham have been seeking a suitable successor and has now reportedly reached an agreement in principle with Alvarez, whose Ajax contract runs until 2025.
Negotiations are in progress, despite the previous collapsed attempt to join Borussia Dortmund.
While West Ham clinched the Europa Conference League title last season, they have yet to make any first-team signings for the upcoming 2023/24 campaign. Selling key players like Rice, Masuaku, and Lanzini has left them in need of reinforcement.
Alvarez Set to join West Ham
The pursuit of Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse was unsuccessful, leading to a renewed focus on Alvarez. Talks are underway, with personal terms expected to be a non-issue.
West Ham’s technical director Tim Steidten is driving the negotiations, and David Moyes appears to be on board with Alvarez’s arrival. The proposed fee hovers around £26 million, though Ajax seeks a figure in the range of £30 million to £35 million.
Alvarez’s inclination for a summer transfer aligns with a wave of departures from Ajax, prompting speculation about the Dutch side’s title aspirations. Alvarez is currently on holiday in Mexico after his Gold Cup triumph, but his return to Europe is imminent.
As Liverpool grapples with limited options and West Ham makes strategic moves, the Premier League’s transfer landscape continues to evolve, with significant implications for the upcoming season.
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