West Ham are closing in on the signing of Ajax defensive midfielder Edson Alvarez after reigniting their curiosity within the Mexican worldwide lynchpin. The Hammers held preliminary discussions over a transfer for the 25-year-old again in early June however the membership determined to prioritise a swoop for Fulham's Joao Palhinha as an alternative.

However, the panorama has now drastically modified after West Ham cooled their curiosity in Palhinha following two failed bids with the participant now additionally turning a shoulder damage sustained in Fulham's pre-season tour of the United States.

West Ham have additionally tried and failed with three bids for Southampton skipper James Ward-Prowse - the most recent of which was value £30m together with add-ons.

Now talks are advancing with Ajax over a deal for Alvarez and private phrases usually are not regarded as a difficulty. One supply suggests they've already been verbally agreed.

There is optimism an settlement might be reached over a charge within the coming days though West Ham are striving to wrap up the deal subsequent week earlier than their Premier League opener at Bournemouth on August 12.

Alvarez is regarded as eager on a summer season switch following a mass exodus in Amsterdam which has seen their Eredivisie title credentials thrown into query.

West Ham technical director Tim Steidten is driving the negotiations and despite recent friction on summer transfer targets, it is thought David Moyes is bought on the arrival of Alvarez.

The Irons are regarded as proposing round £26million for the Mexico worldwide whereas Ajax are in search of within the area of £30m-£35m.

Alvarez is at the moment again in his homeland of Mexico on vacation after serving to his nationwide facet win the Gold Cup in mid-July.

Chelsea stay admirers of Alvarez after the Blues noticed a £43m bid rejected for the participant final August within the last hours of the summer season switch window.

The Blues can be ready to think about re-exploring a transfer in the event that they're unable to strike an settlement with Brighton for Moises Caicedo.

However, the Hammers are actually within the box-seat and it seems negotiations between the 2 golf equipment might attain a constructive conclusion within the coming days.

Alvarez had seemed set to affix Borussia Dortmund earlier within the switch window however the deal collapsed. Bayern Munich have additionally proven tentative curiosity and are in search of a No.6 to bolster Thomas Tuchel's ranks.

West Ham have additionally agreed the £26m sale of striker Gianluca Scamacca to Atalanta.

The Italian frontman, signed for £35.5m from Sassuolo final summer season, is because of arrive in Bergamo for a medical on Saturday afternoon.

Inter Milan additionally bid £24m however the Champions League finalists have been finally crushed to the bunch by their Serie A rivals, who tabled an even bigger supply to each West Ham and the participant.

The Irons have additionally negotiated a ten per cent sell-on clause which might see them recoup additional money sooner or later.