West Ham look set to sign Edson Alvarez from Ajax although there is no agreement just yet (Image: Getty)
West Ham are closing in on the signing of Ajax defensive midfielder Edson Alvarez after reigniting their interest in the Mexican international lynchpin. The Hammers held initial discussions over a move for the 25-year-old back in early June but the club decided to prioritise a swoop for Fulham's Joao Palhinha instead following Declan Rice's £105million club-record departure to Arsenal.
However, the landscape has now drastically changed after West Ham cooled their interest in Palhinha following two failed bids with the player now also nursing a shoulder injury sustained in Fulham's pre-season tour of the United States.
West Ham have also tried and failed with three bids for Southampton skipper James Ward-Prowse - the latest of which was worth £30m including add-ons.
Now talks are advancing with Ajax over a deal for Alvarez and personal terms are not thought to be an issue - although some reports suggest they have already been verbally agreed.
There is optimism an agreement could be reached over a fee in the coming days although West Ham are striving to wrap up the deal next week before their Premier League opener at Bournemouth on August 12.
West Ham are advancing in talks with Ajax over deal for Edson Alvarez (Image: Getty)
Alvarez is thought to be keen on a summer transfer following a mass exodus in Amsterdam which has seen their Eredivisie title credentials thrown into question.
The Irons are thought to be proposing around £26million for the Mexico international while Ajax are seeking a fee in the region of £30m-£35m. The club have already agreed internally that the player can depart at the right price.
Alvarez is currently back in his homeland of Mexico on holiday after helping his national side win the Gold Cup in mid-July but he is due to return to Europe in the coming days.
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Chelsea remain admirers of Alvarez after the Blues saw a £43m bid rejected for the player last August in the final hours of the summer transfer window.
The Blues would be prepared to consider re-exploring a move if they're unable to strike an agreement with Brighton for Moises Caicedo but West Ham are now expected to close a deal.
They are now fimrly in the box-seat and it appears talks between the two clubs could reach a positive conclusion by the end of the weekend.
Alvarez had looked set to join Borussia Dortmund earlier in the transfer window but the deal unexpectedly collapsed. Bayern Munich have also shown tentative interest and are looking for a No.6 to bolster Thomas Tuchel's ranks but the Mexican now appears to be headed for the Premier League.
David Moyes could finally be set to land his first summer signing at West Ham (Image: Getty)
Meanwhile, West Ham have also agreed the £26m sale of striker Gianluca Scamacca to Atalanta.
The Italian frontman, signed for £35.5m from Sassuolo last summer, is due to arrive in Rome for a medical on Saturday afternoon.
Inter Milan also bid £24m but the Champions League finalists were eventually beaten to the bunch by their Serie A rivals, who tabled a bigger offer to both West Ham and the player.
The Irons have also negotiated a 10 per cent sell-on clause which could see them recoup further cash in the future.