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.
Nuno out. Alvarez in. Make Alvarez captain whether Krejčí joins or doesn’t join. COYI
Agreed. The bonus could be that we also get Bowen back.
The problem is not Alvarez is it? The problem is the petulant, childish little man that is orchestrating West Ham’s demise. We have an international class defensive player that we pay but don’t use because the manager doesn’t have a clue how. The most important thing to Nuno is Nuno, not West Ham United.
For me he would be a certain starter. The team currently have no leadership and play in virtual silence. In the recent game against Portsmouth he did not stop talking, giving instructions and encouraging others.
Nuno doesn’t fancy him which says a lot about Nuno
If he is happy to play for us, keep him & play him. He would be very useful to us in a league in which, we have already shown, is not going to be “a cake walk”.
Keep him as he could dominate at Championship level. Given that he’s Mexico’s captain, why don’t we use his leadership qualities?
And remember, he’s a very useful centre-back if needed…and who better will we get for £20m?
Alvarez would make a decent LB imo.
Last sentence sums it all up.
If he plays at c/bk his vocalisum is an advantage to leadership which Mavro needs.
Suggested addition is Morato or Krejci the latter has far more leadership could be good partnership.
With Potts being gone Alvarez fills this spot with his versatility.
Although prone to cards his grit and perseverance is an excellent attitude.
Some suggestion that he doesn’t get on with Nuno (who is stubborn) this needs to be put aside.
Nuno needs to realise he is dealing with grown men not school children.
Not point sending him out on loan bringing his contract expiry down to 1 year next year.
Depth over on the right is needed and Alvarez is the man for it.
Mavro / Golambekis / Alvarez / Krejci with Killman as backup_ sorted.
Incoming: l/bk (Harrison Burrows/Amas) with freebie striker_Wood/Vardy when window closes.
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
Neither, he apparently just wants to be settled for the sake of his family and has supposedly recently purchased a property in the local area. Hardly the actions of a trouble-making want away player I would suggest.
A lot of sites, mentioning no names, got carried away with the ‘downed tools brigade’and lazily and incorrectly lumped Alvarez in with this group which undoubtedly existed eg AWB, Diouf/ ? Magassa.
He’s the captain of his country and is PRECISELY the kind of player the team is screaming out for.
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.
We have no defensive midfielder. We need one. Alvarez can save us money. Ok, if he’s playing up and demanding to leave then fair enough. But if he isn’t,keep him and use him. He can also play centre back
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.