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Romano confirms Edson Alvarez transfer as Mexico star starts Chelsea domino
Tom Weber
- Updated: 19 Aug 2025 10:08 CDT
- 4 min read
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West Ham have a genuine interest in Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos as a potential replacement for Fenerbahce-bound Edson Alvarez.
The Hammers are in the market for a new face for their engine room as Mexico international Alvarez is heading to Turkey. The 27-year-old has struggled to come to grips with Graham Potter's style of football and is now on the verge of leaving West Ham for Fenerbahce.
According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Alvarez's transfer could be officially completed as early as today, Tuesday. The deal will reportedly be an initial loan with an option to become permanent next summer.
West Ham are now looking for a midfielder who is more comfortable in possession and more athletic than Alvarez, and they have seemingly taken a real liking to Chelsea star Andrey Santos.
Already on Monday, reports surfaced that the East London club have had a $62 million bid rejected for the Brazilian, with Chelsea unwilling to sell the promising 21-year-old. However, according to South American football expert Tim Vickery, the Blues may have to reconsider their stance.
Will Chelsea sell Santos?
Vickery points out that Santos' first-team opportunities are likely to be limited given the quality that Chelsea have in the middle of the park. Moises Caicedo is one of the best in the world in his position, while Enzo Fernandez can also be exceptional on his day.
Romeo Lavia is an excellent player when fit, and new signing Dario Essugo is also surely in Enzo Maresca's plans this season. This leaves Santos and, by extension, Chelsea with a big decision to make as the 21-year-old will surely want to play regularly to become a star for Brazil.
"Now, Brazil have problems in central midfield, and Andrey Santos is appearing as perhaps a solution," Vickery explained. "But he's got that problem at Chelsea, hasn’t he, with them stockpiling so many players.
"He has to get ahead of either Moises Caicedo, who had an extraordinary season, or a World Cup winner in Enzo Fernandez just to get a game. There’s been interest from West Ham, who look like they’re trying to move Edson Alvarez out, creating a hole in that central midfield area.
"Andrey Santos would be fabulous for filling that hole. But what do Chelsea want to do? Are they open to a move, even a loan move? This feels almost like a test case for the problems of keeping such a big squad happy.
"You’ve stockpiled so many players, but only 11 of them can be in the starting lineup."
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