West Ham have had a relatively busy transfer window so far, even if the club hasn’t splashed the kind of money some fans were hoping for.
Free transfers like Callum Wilson and Kyle Walker-Peters have padded out Graham Potter’s squad, while smaller fees have gone towards the arrivals of Mads Hermansen and young defender El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Outgoings, however, have been the real story of the summer. Club legend Michail Antonio was released in heartbreaking circumstances following his car crash, joined on the exit list by veterans Aaron Cresswell and Vladimír Coufal. Meanwhile, Mohamed Kudus brought in a hefty fee after being snapped up by London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
And now, it looks like another big name is heading for the door — and this one is moving fast.
Alvarez Set for Fenerbahce Medical
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Edson Álvarez’s move to Fenerbahçe is finally all but done.
The deal, which has been brewing for over a week, will be an initial loan with a buy option included — though Romano hasn’t confirmed the exact figure, it’s unlikely to come close to the £35m West Ham forked out to Ajax two years ago.
Álvarez is set to undergo his medical ahead of sealing the switch, with José Mourinho personally pushing for his signature to bolster Fener’s midfield ahead of their European campaign.
The Mexican international was once seen as a cornerstone of the Hammers’ midfield. His combative style and leadership qualities earned praise from none other than Rio Ferdinand, who described him as “invaluable” during his bright start under David Moyes.
But since Potter’s arrival, Álvarez has slipped further and further down the pecking order, barely featuring in pre-season and left unused on the opening day humiliation at Sunderland. Now, his time in claret and blue looks over before it ever really began.
It’s another reminder that football moves quickly — one season you’re the heartbeat of the midfield, the next you’re packing your bags for Istanbul.
