West Ham United midfielder Edson Alvarez emerged as a shock transfer target for Manchester United earlier this week.
Fabrizio Romano suggested a couple of days ago that Manchester United were looking at a move to sign the 26-year-old Hammers star as a potential long-term replacement for Casemiro.
Edson Alvarez has been sensational for West Ham, since he moved to the London Stadium from Ajax for around £34 million.
In 31 Premier League games for the Hammers last season, the 26-year-old midfield warrior averaged 2.6 tackles, 1.4 interceptions and 2.3 clearances. He made 38.5 passes on average per match and recorded a completion rate of 86.1% (Who Scored).
However, his discipline was a slight concern, after he picked up 11 yellow cards. That said, he did recently admit that he has learned from the mistakes he made in that specific department.
Alvarez took to the Premier League like a duck to water, and that’s not an easy thing to do when moving from the far inferior Eredivisie.
It wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if Man United do actually want to sign him this summer.
Manchester United looking at Edson Alvarez to bolster midfield
Casemiro has proven to be a woeful signing for Man United in all fairness, especially considering the astonishing finances behind it.
He moved to Old Trafford from Spanish giants Real Madrid for £70 million in the summer of 2022 (BBC Sport).
And Man United haphazardly provided the Brazilian midfielder with a whopping £350k-a-week five-year deal as well (Daily Mail).
Initially, Casemiro looked like a top-class signing for the Red Devils, and he played a key role for them.
However, he has regressed badly over the past year or so, and is clearly not up to speed at the very highest level.
The former Real Madrid star’s legs have gone, and he was constantly targeted in the Premier League last season.
It’s little wonder why Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is looking to upgrade upon the multiple Champions League winner.
As much as I don’t want Alvarez to leave, I totally understand why he might be on the radar of the 20-time Premier League champions.
That said, a really big twist has just come to light regarding Man United’s apparent interest in signing the Mexico international this summer…
Edson Alvarez U-turn emerges
The tough-tackling midfield general has made a name for himself in England with his committed, full throttle performances.
That said, the Mexican has been linked with a move away from the Hammers already this summer (Caught Offside). However, he recently hinted that he’ll be staying with West Ham for at least one more season.
And now there’s been a really big twist, but is it good or bad news for the Hammers?
According to Sport 1 journalist Christopher Michel, Casemiro’s proposed move to Saudi Arabia has fallen through at an advanced stage.
And as a result, Alvarez is ‘not a hot topic’ for Manchester United:
Whether or not that will change if Casemiro is eventually moved on remains to be seen.
I believe that Julen Lopetegui will want the Mexican to play a key role for his team next season and beyond.
Keeping Edson Alvarez out of the grasp of Manchester United may well prove to be difficult though, if they do indeed come in for him.
That said, the latest update from Christopher Michel sounds like pretty good news for West Ham. Let’s hope the former Ajax star remains at the club for quite some time yet.
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