With the Premier League & EFL summer transfer window set to close at 11pm on Tuesday, West Ham’s window is far from complete with ‘unfinished business’ hanging over the departure lounge.
The future of Edson Álvarez is still hanging in the balance and the noise around him is getting louder by the hour.
For a while, it looked straightforward. Álvarez seemed content to stay at West Ham, even putting in 74 minutes during the Hammers’ 3–1 Carabao Cup first‑round win. He appeared to pick up a minor injury, something the club has neither confirmed nor denied but there was no hint of any refusal to play or any standoff behind the scenes.
Should he stay or should he go?
Then came the flip side, claims that Álvarez wasn’t part of Nuno Espírito Santo’s long‑term plans, and that he was quietly exploring a move away. Crucially, these suggestions never accused him of downing tools and refusing to play, just that he was open to an exit.
I lean toward that version. Álvarez has always carried himself like a consummate professional, and nothing about his behaviour suggests he’s suddenly turned into a problem player.
Olympiacos have been linked, but their offer is nowhere near West Ham’s valuation. Real Sociedad reportedly tried a loan move, which the Hammers rejected, surprising, considering the club sanctioned a loan for Jean‑Clair Todibo with no obligation.The only logical explanation is that Álvarez wasn’t willing to take another wage cut from his reported £50k‑a‑week salary.
Then things took a strange turn. On various social media outlets, his agency Muy Manero insisted Álvarez is carrying an injury and has never refused to play for West Ham. There are also whispers that his family are back in London and are settled, hardly the behaviour of someone desperate to force a move.
Claret & Hugh checked with one of our transfer sources earlier this month who confirmed the club were open to selling and originally hoped to secure £20m, a figure that looks increasingly unrealistic given the current market and the lack of serious bidders.
The truth is, the next few days will tell us everything. While the Premier League & EFL window shuts on Tuesday, other leagues are still lurking in the shadows:
• Turkey — closes on 4th September
• Eredivisie — closes on 2nd September
• Portugal – closes on 15th September
• Saudi Arabia — closes on 12th October
With two years left on his contract, any loan with no obligation only drags his value down further. Álvarez brings experience, leadership, and versatility and crucially is able to slot into centre‑back or central midfield. In a squad that still needs steel and depth, in my opinion he’s worth far more on the pitch than in a cut‑price exit.
Let’s hope no one can agree to our terms.
just reading who Nuno trusts to save us ……Didn’t he trust Traori Can we trust Nuno
I think I would keep Alverez Is he another 1 that want to go because of the drop OR because of Nuno
I think with Soucek still out injured we could do with keeping him. Engels, Orford, Kante and Mukasa have alot of potential but we are lacking experience and some bite.
Should be starting and vice captain if his attitude is right
I like Alvarez, he’s always given 100 %, and with no VAR, will be sent off in less matches
The fact he can play in both CB and DM fills a vital spot in the squad too
Could be this season’s Disasi — the answer to our defence ?
I quite agree, he would certainly be a useful squad player if not regular starter. Better than some of the names already mentioned to go for in the window. But as we all know We will only go for players nobody has even heard of because there cheap or players out of contract, who are all usually over 30 that nobody else wants.