Manchester United could make a move for West Ham star Edson Alvarez this summer as manager Erik ten Hag searches for a new defensive midfielder, according to Fabrizio Romano.
West Ham and Manchester United are currently in negotiations over Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s move from Manchester to East London, which could work to United’s advantage as they could use the talks as leverage to secure a move for the Mexican midfielder.
The Red Devils are in need of quality in the defensive midfield role alongside England star Koby Mainou with Sofiane Amrabat returning to parent club Fiorentina, Casemiro continuing to decline and Scott McTominay preferring a more attacking role. Erik ten Hag knows Alvarez well from his time as manager of Ajax, with the Mexican scoring nine goals and providing three assists in 103 appearances under the Dutchman.
West Ham are also thin in defensive midfield and having sold Flynn Downes to Southampton, the Mexico captain is the club’s only veteran defensive midfield player and will be very reluctant to let Alvarez go – he is also a favourite to become the club’s captain this summer, along with Max Kilman and Jarrod Bowen.
However, United have their sights set on someone other than the West Ham star who is more likely to succeed, with Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte appearing to be their main target. The Red Devils have agreed personal terms with the Uruguayan, which was made easier as Ugarte is signed by the same agent, Jorge Mendes, as Manchester United’s latest signing, Lenny Yolo. Negotiations between the two clubs continue, with other clubs also making enquiries.
PSG are reportedly asking for €70 million for Ugarte, but United sporting director Dan Ashworth is unwilling to accept that, which makes a move for Alvarez less likely as the Hammers would want at least the same amount for the player Tim Steiten signed for €38 million last summer.
Benfica’s Joao Neves is a key target for Erik ten Hag, but a transfer fee of around £100 million for the 19-year-old would be too high for a club not in the Champions League. This would make both Alvarez and Ugarte more likely to be available, so Hammers fans will hope that ten Hag opts for the latter.
Alvarez suffered a hamstring injury in Mexico’s Copa America opener against Michail Antonio’s Jamaica and is expected to be sidelined for several weeks and possibly even miss the start of the season, but he has remained with the team to help out as captain.
“We wish him luck. Edson has a big injury. It’s not good news because he’s an important player,” Lopetegui said of the injury. “His passion is great,” he said in an interview with US sports network CBS. [Alvarez] “And he understands that that’s a big part of his game. But he also needs to understand when to curb his passion and stay focused on the game. Alvarez is an important player for this club and this project.”