West Ham are holding talks with European giants over what could prove to be a season-saving deal in a major boost for under-pressure boss Graham Potter.
Things have suddenly turned very dark and desperate at West Ham following the opening day humbling at Sunderland.
Graham Potter’s side were comfortably beaten 3-0 by the newly-promoted Black Cats, barely putting up a fight during a dismal second half display.
It was the worst result of Potter’s tenure so far on the day that was supposed to mark a bright new era of togetherness under the Englishman in east London.
Potter struggled to convince in his first half-season in charge of the Hammers, registering just five wins from his 19 games.
Potter walking a midfield minefield at West Ham
The head coach has spent all summer talking up the renewed togetherness, team spirit and fitness at West Ham.
But none of that was on show as Sunderland ran riot in a woeful second half performance from the Irons.
With the jury still very much out on Potter, the result has piled pressure on him and the owners.
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Especially as it comes off the back of a slow summer which has seen the Hammers make just four senior signings thus far – with only two of those being for the starting XI.
West Ham boss Graham Potter looks focused
Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images
What was left of the away section come full-time let the team and manager know how they feel.
But anger has been directed at the owners in the wake of the shambles, with the lack of investment being blamed for what looks set to be a long season battling relegation on the evidence of the opening performance.
West Ham have failed to address their major midfield issue, despite it being the club’s top transfer window priority.
Following the £18m signing of Mads Hermansen, the Hammers’ hierarchy said they must now offload unwanted players in order to have funds to make further signings before the window officially closes two weeks today, on September 1st.
West Ham in talks with giants over season-saving deal
It was claimed at the weekend that midfielders Edson Alvarez, Andy Irving and Guido Rodriguez will be on their way out of West Ham soon.
Lucas Paqueta, Emerson Palmieri and Konstantinos Mavropanos have also been touted for London Stadium exits in the last knockings of a three-month long window.
With funds needed for signings – and new players clearly needed urgently – sales are absolutely critical for Potter.
West Ham’s Premier League survival could literally depend on it.
Now West Ham are in talks with a European giant over a season-saving deal in major boost for Potter.
Edson Alvarez getting off the West Ham team coach at Sunderland
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Alvarez has caused a stir on social media in the wake of the Hammers’ opening day defeat, for which he was an unused sub.
West Ham outcast Alvarez’s latest unhelpful cryptic post shows why Potter wants him out.
Alvarez fell out with Potter after a disagreement towards the end of last season.
The Mexican, who has talked up a move away from east London from the moment he arrived, pulled out of a game against Southampton – which the Hammers drew 1-1.
Alvarez sent a cryptic post on social media after that game, made famous by Niclas Fullkrug’s angry post-match interview.
A leak from a source close to the club’s owners after that claimed Alvarez had a fall-out out with Potter as he withdrew from the Southampton game citing he had a bad back.
Of all of West Ham’s unwanted midfielders, Alvarez will undoubtedly command the most significant fee.
Ajax, Milan and other clubs have been linked with the Mexico captain.
Major boost for Potter as Fenerbahce open Alvarez talks
Now Jose Mourinho has ordered Fenerbahce to make a move for the Hammers midfielder, which will be music to Potter’s ears.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Fenerbahce have opened talks with West Ham to sign Alvarez as their new midfielder.
Romano claims the 27-year-old, who joined the Irons from Ajax for £34m in 2023, is ‘strongly wanted by Mourinho’.
It is further claimed that initial contacts have taken place about a deal with two more European clubs also making approaches to sign Alvarez after the interest from former club Ajax.
Romano states that Alvarez is now considering his options with no decision made yet.
🚨🟡🔵 EXCL: Fenerbahçe open talks to sign Edson Álvarez as new midfielder, strongly wanted by José Mourinho.
Initial contacts took place as two more European clubs have made approach to sign Álvarez after Ajax interest.
Álvarez is considering his options now. No decision yet. pic.twitter.com/hAkPMuLRtw
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 18, 2025
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The timing could be perfect for Potter on this one.
He could offload a player and character he clearly does not rate while raising vital funds to bring in a new midfielder – or two.
No fee is mentioned but Hammers News understands West Ham want at least £19m for Alvarez.