With the International contingent of West Ham’s squad due back in the next week or so, the Hammers are going to face additions to their summer pre-season training from yet more players on the payroll but not engaged with ‘the project’ – in short, planning their own getaways.
Edson Alvarez would seem a case in point. The Mexico captain made it to the last sixteen of the World Cup finals before England dispatched his side, but the Hammers midfielder clearly has no appetite for a return to the claret and blue shirt in the second tier.
Much like Crysencio Summerville, so it seems, Alvarez wants a fresh start.
Köln had been linked with the Mexican but stalled over his wage demands ( something of a similar story with West Ham’s cast-offs) but giants Benfica are reportedly planning to rival the Bundesliga side for his services. Which can only be good news
“SL Benfica have entered the race to sign West Ham United midfielder Edson Álvarez, according to Sky Germany.
The presence of the Portuguese club ought to apply some uneasy pressure on 1.FC Köln who were hoping to sign the Mexican.
Regardless, FC Köln are still hoping to complete the deal, but the overall package remains too expensive at this stage.
on international duty – West Ham’s Edson Alvarez
It now remains to be seen what Benfica are prepared to put on the table and whether they can outmuscle the Bundesliga side.
Benfica may have turned their attention to the 28-year-old after they discovered that Bayern Munich’s João Palhinha was out of their range. (Bulinews.com).
Which will come as a relief to both player and to West Ham, who will likely be silently cheering on Benfica, hoping they do, indeed, get off the fence and come in for ‘El Machin‘.
Alvarez appears to have no future at London Stadium having been dispatched on loan by Potter last year and enduring a pretty grim injury hit season at Fenerbahce: Best for the player and the club to draw a line underneath his West Ham career.