West Ham are reportedly open to selling Edson Álvarez, with new boss Graham Potter planning a midfield overhaul and Mexico’s captain no longer guaranteed minutes.
Less than a year before the 2026 World Cup kicks off in North America, Mexico’s national team captain Edson Álvarez is reportedly no longer in West Ham United’s plans for the upcoming season. According to ESPN, new Hammers boss Graham Potter is open to offloading the 26-year-old midfielder this summer.
West Ham paid €38 million ($44m) to sign Álvarez from Ajax in 2023, but his future in east London now appears in serious doubt. With Potter arriving in January 2025, the Mexican international has seen his role diminish. He played 808 minutes of Premier League football under the new regime, missing several games due to injury and being left out of the matchday squad twice.
Despite making 73 appearances for the club overall, Álvarez is seen as expendable, particularly as Potter is planning a squad rebuild focused on younger, homegrown talent.
One of the key reasons for Álvarez’s potential exit is the rise of academy graduate Freddie Potts. The 21-year-old, who plays a similar holding midfield role, is tipped to feature more prominently in Potter’s system.
With Tomáš Souček and Guido Rodríguez also reportedly on the chopping block, a complete midfield overhaul could be on the cards at the London Stadium.
Álvarez’s current market value has dropped to $29.07 million on Transfermarkt, a notable dip from the fee West Ham initially paid for him. But his status as Mexico’s captain and his experience in Europe could still make him a desirable asset for clubs on the continent.
He was previously linked with Borussia Dortmund, and interest from La Liga and Serie A sides could reignite if West Ham formally put him up for sale.
Despite the noise, Álvarez has previously insisted he’s content at West Ham. Speaking to TUDN earlier this year, he said:
There’s always going to be noise around you… But I’m focused on growing as a player and as a person. I’m a West Ham player, and honestly, I’m really happy here. This club has surprised me in a great way.
However, as is often the case in football, club decisions don’t always align with player sentiment—and the writing may already be on the wall.
West Ham will begin the 2025-26 Premier League season on August 16 with a home game against newly promoted Sunderland. Whether Álvarez is still wearing claret and blue by then remains to be seen.
If sold, Álvarez would likely push for a move that ensures regular minutes ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which Mexico is co-hosting. Expect interest from Germany, Spain, and possibly MLS, should European offers fail to materialize.
