Chelsea Eyes Edson Álvarez as World Club Cup Reinforcement

London, England – Edson Álvarez has emerged as a key player for West Ham United since joining the club from Ajax in the summer of 2023. With the departure of captain Declan Rice, Álvarez has filled a vital role despite a less consistent 2024/25 season, maintaining his starting position under managers Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter.

As West Ham faces the prospect of not participating in European competitions next season, they may consider selling Álvarez to generate additional revenue. Reports from El Universal indicate that Chelsea is interested in acquiring ‘El Machín’ as a potential exclusive reinforcement for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

While Chelsea has previously considered Álvarez during his time at Ajax, they ultimately opted for other players. However, the recent prospect of FIFA allowing teams to recruit up to six players specifically for the Club World Cup has renewed interest in the Mexican international.

Details concerning the implementation of this new rule remain unconfirmed. It’s unclear if the arrangements would function as loans or require Chelsea to pay a fee to West Ham for Álvarez’s services. Moreover, discussions about potentially making the transaction a permanent transfer are ongoing.

Álvarez joined West Ham for a reported fee of £35 million and signed a contract extending until the end of the 2027-28 season. He has become a crucial part of the squad after stepping into Rice’s position following his record-breaking transfer to Arsenal for £105 million.

Carlos Aviña, the sporting director of AS Monaco, stated, “We had explored the opportunity to sign Álvarez earlier, but we could not reach an agreement.” This indicates the level of competition for securing talented players like Álvarez.

As the potential transfer rumors swirl, Álvarez continues to focus on his commitments with West Ham, having accumulated significant contributions to the team’s performance. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s interest signals a keen focus on strengthening their roster ahead of international competitions, with hopes that a deal could be reached in the coming months.