According to information from a reliable source, Manchester United is currently contemplating the possibility of recruiting Edson Alvarez from West Ham United to potentially fill the void left by Casemiro.
After a season that fell short of expectations, United is seriously considering selling Casemiro during this upcoming transfer window. The sale of Casemiro is projected to generate around £100 million, which the club intends to reinvest into bolstering its squad for the challenges ahead.
Casemiro’s departure would pose a significant challenge, as he is currently the only natural defensive midfielder in the team. Consequently, finding a suitable replacement is imperative for maintaining the team’s balance and effectiveness on the field.
Club insiders have revealed that discussions have taken place regarding the acquisition of Edson Alvarez. The possibility of recruiting Alvarez has been highlighted by Fabrizio Romano, a renowned authority on football transfers.
Edson Alvarez, a 26-year-old international player from Mexico, made a notable move to West Ham last summer for a reported fee of £35 million. Since his arrival, Alvarez has made a strong impression with his performances on the pitch.
Alvarez is under contract with West Ham until 2028, which could potentially complicate any attempt by Manchester United to secure his services. His contractual situation indicates that negotiations for his transfer would require careful consideration and possibly significant financial resources.
In 2022, Alvarez was reportedly on the verge of joining Chelsea before the move was blocked by Ajax, his former club. A year later, he successfully made the transition to the demanding environment of the Premier League, featuring prominently in 42 matches and attracting the attention of decision-makers at Manchester United.
There are indications within the club that INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who share ownership of Manchester United, may exert influence over transfer decisions, potentially limiting the authority of manager Erik ten Hag in this regard. While ten Hag’s veto power over player transfers might diminish, it is anticipated that he will continue to provide valuable input into the club’s recruitment strategy.
Erik ten Hag has a well-documented history of collaboration with former Ajax players, although some high-profile targets like Frenkie de Jong and Brian Brobbey did not materialize. Nevertheless, players such as Andre Onana, Lisandro Martinez, and Antony have successfully made the move to Manchester United under his guidance.
Earlier in the summer transfer window, there was also consideration within the club of pursuing center-back Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich. However, the potential cost associated with acquiring de Ligt prompted Manchester United to hesitate before committing to such a significant investment.
In summary, Manchester United’s deliberations regarding the acquisition of Edson Alvarez underscore the club’s strategic approach to bolstering its squad ahead of the upcoming season. The potential departure of Casemiro presents both a challenge and an opportunity for United, as they seek to maintain competitiveness at the highest level of football. The involvement of key stakeholders and the ongoing influence of manager Erik ten Hag in shaping the squad’s composition highlight the complexities involved in modern football management and recruitment strategies.