Manchester United considering approach for Edson Alvarez

Manchester United are considering an approach for West Ham midfielder Edson Alvarez, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Italian transfer guru reveals that Old Trafford bosses are ‘seriously considering’ signing a new midfielder this summer, with the prospect of Casemiro leaving the club an increasingly likely possibility.

The 32-year-old Brazilian has had a dismal campaign after a brilliant first season in English football, following his costly move from Real Madrid in August 2022.

There are long-standing links with the Saudi Pro League, with a number of clubs, including Al-Nassr, considering approaches for the defensive midfielder. Al Nassr would offer Casemiro the chance to reunite with former United and Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as a suitably lucrative fee.

Romano claims that if Casemiro were to leave Old Trafford this summer, the chances of a new midfielder replacing him become “almost certain”.

One such option discussed internally by United is Alvarez – currently at West Ham, but who previously played under Erik ten Hag at Ajax. Romano reveals the midfielder is “liked by (T)en Hag” who was recently confirmed to remain at Old Trafford, despite many uncertainties over his future.

Alvarez, 24, moved to Amsterdam in July 2019, joining Ajax from Club America in Mexico in a deal worth around £12.7million. He quickly established himself in Ten Hag’s plans, becoming a key part of the Dutchman’s team which won back-to-back titles. At the end of Alvarez’s second season, he was nominated for the Eredivisie Player of the Season award.

In the summer of 2023, Alvarez was signed by West Ham for £35 million as part of the rebuild undertaken by the club following Declan Rice’s blockbuster transfer to Arsenal.

The Mexican midfielder was joined at the London Stadium by James Ward-Prowse (£30m) and Mohammed Kudus (£38m) as part of a ‘Moneyball’ style approach to reinvent the West Ham midfielder.

And it is a testament to the quality of Alvarez that Hammers fans did not spend long regretting Rice’s absence, despite the England international’s brilliant form for Arsenal.

As such, Romano reveals that West Ham view their star midfielder as a “key player” and it will be a “difficult deal” to remove him from their clutches. The Hammers are in a strong financial position and will be under no pressure to sell a player with four years remaining on his current contract.

This means any pursuit of Alvarez by United will be costly; and in a summer where the Red Devils are counting every penny, due to the acute pressure of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), this could prove too high a price to pay, despite the player’s ability of 24 years old to fit perfectly into Ten Hag’s midfield unit.

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