News update: West Ham United transfer update emerges on Edson Alvarez v Bournemouth
News update: West Ham United transfer update emerges on Edson Alvarez v Bournemouth
West Ham are hopeful of getting their deal for Ajax midfielder Edson Alvares over the line as soon as possible so that he can train with the squad ahead of Saturday’s game against Bournemouth.
Alvarez will be able to train with his teammates and integrate into David Moyes’ squad before the season opener this weekend.
It is likely the midfielder could slot straight into the Hammers’ side to face Bournemouth, with the current options limited to just four; Conor Coventry, Flynn Downes, Thomas Soucek and Lucas Paqueta, of whom only one really plays in Alvarez’s position.
Alvarez’s arrival in East London should hopefully be the first of many new arrivals at West Ham. The desire from the club to have him involved as quickly as possible shows the situation they find themselves in, and they will have to move quickly to get further deals done.
While Alvarez will be a brilliant addition to this West Ham squad, the four current midfielders previously mentioned will still need further depth added. Coventry is good, but shouldn’t be starting in the Premier League, while Downes was shown last season to be on the fringes.
Paqueta’s role as an advanced midfielder or number ten, who has even been played wide by Moyes, also would limit his likelihood of playing a less forward-thinking midfield role. This leaves Moyes with just two deep-lying midfielders to pick from if he wants to keep quality in his side.
Moves for James Ward-Prowse and Scott McTominay from Southampton and Manchester United respectively could be fast-tracked with the squad seriously needing new recruits ahead of the new Premier League season.
