Wantaway Edson Alvarez has just given West Ham a multi-million pound boost after he scored Mexico’s Gold Cup winner against the USA and picked up a prestigious FIFA award.
The combination could see Edson Alvarez’s price tag soar by millions as West Ham desperately look to offload players to raise money for transfers.
Towards the back end of last season it was claimed that Mexico captain Alvarez pulled out of West Ham’s game with Southampton after a disagreement with Graham Potter.
In the immediate aftermath of that game – which the Hammers drew 1-1 sparking angry scenes and a sweary outburst from Niclas Fullkrug – Alvarez sent a cryptic West Ham post on social media.
The message suggested cracks were appearing in his relationship with Graham Potter.
Alvarez talked up West Ham exit after Potter fall-out
A leak from a source close to West Ham’s owners then claimed Alvarez had a fall-out with Potter as he withdrew from the Southampton game citing he had a bad back.
The former Ajax midfielder was named on the bench when he returned to West Ham’s squad three games later at Manchester United.
It came against the backdrop of incessant speculation that Alvarez wants out of the club and will be sold, if the right offers arrive, to help fund Potter’s rebuild plans.
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The Mexico captain fell out of favour with David Moyes towards the end of his tenure and is said to have clashed with Julen Lopetegui too.
Potter’s single biggest problem to address at West Ham is midfield.
West Ham boss Graham Potter speaks to Mexican midfielder Edson Alvarez on the touchline during a break in play
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
The 50-year-old has admitted the Hammers were nowhere near how he wants them to play after the season-ending victory over Ipswich and the middle of the park is the main issue.
In fact Alvarez was singled out as West Ham’s biggest problem by pundits on Match of the Day last season.
The 27-year-old has been criticised for his lack of physicality and pace and has struggled for consistency since initially impressing in the months after his £34m arrival as Tim Steidten’s first West Ham signing in 2023.
Alvarez has been linked with a move away from the Hammers almost from the moment he arrived.
And the Mexico midfielder has talked up his potential departure from the club on several occasions – including just before heading off to lead Mexico in the Gold Cup.
Now Alvarez has added millions to his West Ham price tag with major Mexico heroics after talking up an exit.
Alvarez adds millions to West Ham price tag with Mexico heroics
Alvarez was being linked with a move to Manchester United last summer before he picked up an injury at the Copa America.
Prior to that Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund were being linked with the Hammers midfielder.
On each occasion Alvarez did nothing to play down leaving West Ham. In fact he did the opposite, using it as a chance to talk up a move away.
Less than five months into life at West Ham, Alvarez stated he’s ‘always open’ to a move after links to Bayern.
When speculation was rife he could leave for Man United – and a reunion with then Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag – Alvarez said he was open to the move up rather than committing himself to West Ham.
Then when links emerged about a potential move to AC Milan ahead of the January window, Alvarez said ‘let’s see’ and admitted such talk gave him confidence.
Before heading to the Gold Cup, Alvarez once again refused to rule out leaving West Ham if an offer came along, stating ‘there will always be options’.
Edson Alvarez lifts the Gold Cup for Mexico after scoring the winner in the final against USA
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Alvarez named Gold Cup’s best player after scoring winner in final
And he stated that even if he is happy at West Ham ‘for now’, football is such that ‘it can change at any moment’.
West Ham have made it clear they are desperate to sell players to raise money for signings due to PSR.
Alvarez is one of the players the club is keen to move on.
And he has not hurt his or West Ham’s hopes of attracting interest.
Because Alvarez was named FIFA’s Gold Cup player of the tournament as he scored the winning goal in the final when Mexico came from behind to beat USA 2-1 overnight.
Alvarez stopped with a diving header on 77 minutes to send the packed NRG Stadium wild.
After a VAR check for offside, Alvarez celebrated with his teammates and lifted two trophies after the game.
West Ham return to pre-season training on Monday while Alvarez will be given time off until the Hammers head to the US for the Premier League Summer Series.
Although interest may now be such that the midfielder is no longer with the Hammers by then.
West Ham are getting closer to offloading the man who arrived from Ajax a few weeks after him, Mohammed Kudus.
Alvarez could follow him out of the London Stadium exit after showing his worth on the international stage, strengthening West Ham’s bargaining position.
Mexico beat the Dominican Republic, Suriname and drew with Costa Rica in the Gold Cup group stage before seeing off Saudi Arabia, Honduras and USA.
You can check out video of Alvarez’s winning goal in the post above.
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