A football finance expert says West Ham could get a six-figure sum for one of their top earners Edson Alvarez.
West Ham fans were reeling when they read reports claiming Edson Alvarez is a target for Man United last week.
Transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano claimed Manchester United want the 26-year-old West Ham star as a long-term replacement for Casemiro.
The Mexican midfielder fast established himself as a fan favourite and key player for the Hammers last season.
Alvarez looked one of the bargains of the season after being lured to the London Stadium from Ajax for around £34m.
Hammers fans were particularly concerned about the Man United rumours given Erik ten Hag used to be Alavarez’s manager at Ajax.
Especially as it has been reported by the likes of Caught Offside recently that El Machin wants to leave West Ham after the club failed to secure European football.
Hammers left sweating over Alvarez
That transfer noise has died a death this week, though.
Because when captaining Mexico in their opening game of Copa America against Michail Antonio’s Jamaica, disaster struck.
Alvarez went off in tears with a hamstring injury.
He has already been ruled out of the rest of the Copa America and could face up to six weeks on the sidelines according to reports.
That will take him very close to the start of next season, giving Julen Lopetegui and Tim Steidten a headache as they look for another six or seven signings as part of their major Hammers rebuild.
There is a small silver-lining for West Ham, though, it seems.
A football finance expert says West Ham could get a six-figure sum for one of their top earners.
West Ham could get six-figure sum for Alvarez
Alvarez is on £100,000 per week at West Ham.
And top football finance brain Adam Williams has told Hammers News that the club could get compensation of at least £400k thanks to the European Club Association.
“I think this scheme illustrates the merits of the European Club Association.
“The organisation has taken some flack recently, a lot of it deserved, in my opinion,” Williams told Hammers News.
“Its membership has soared by hundreds of clubs since the Super League, but only a fraction of those have meaningful voting rights. And its blind support of UEFA in terms of its PSR rules is questionable too.
“But in lobbying for clubs like West Ham to get protection in the event of injuries like the one to Alvarez, it’s a highly effective pressure group.
‘Not to be sniffed at’
“FIFA also pay around £7,000 per player for every day they are away on international duty. That might not sound like a lot, but if you have three or four players who go deep into a tournament, it can easily add up to a seven-figure sum.
“We don’t know the severity of Alvarez’s injury, but he’s one of the biggest earners at West Ham.
“Even if only a month’s wages are covered, that’s £400,000, which isn’t to be sniffed at.”
Williams’ insight comes after West Ham board insider Sean Whetstone revealed the club will be looking to claim compensation for Alvarez’s injury under The FIFA Club Protection Programme (CPP).
“The insurance policy will cover the full wages of Alvarez after the first 28 days up to a maximum of 365 days and £6m per player.”