West Ham transfer news: Edson Alvarez exit confirmed as Graham Potter’s seven-man midfield shortlist ‘revealed’

West Ham United have confirmed the departure of midfielder Edson Alvarez to Turkish giants Fenerbahce.

The 27-year-old joined the Hammers in the summer of 2023 from Ajax for a reported £35m and has made a total of 73 appearances across all competitions, including 28 Premier League outings last season.

Alvarez represented West Ham during pre-season, but he has fallen out of favour under head coach Graham Potter and was an unused substitute for their opening two Premier League fixtures, including Friday’s heavy 5-1 home defeat to Chelsea.

The Mexico international, who captained his country and scored the winner goal in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final against USA earlier this summer, will now spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Fenerbahce, who also have the option to make the deal permanent next summer.

Alvarez will wear the No.11 shirt for Fenerbahce and he becomes the club’s eighth senior signing of the summer for head coach Jose Mourinho.

Fenerbahce, who finished second in the Turkish Super Lig last season and are currently competing in the Champions League playoffs, have already signed full-back Nelson Semedo from Wolves this summer, while ex-Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has arrived on loan from Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr.

Potter pushing for midfield reinforcements after Alvarez exit

It is understood that Alvarez was earning around £115,000 per week at West Ham and his departure has now freed up some funds for the Hammers to bring in new players, with Potter keen to bolster his midfield options before the September 1 deadline.

According to The Guardian, Potter views Southampton’s Matheus Fernandes as his ideal No.8, but West Ham are reluctant to pay his £50m asking price and will consider other midfield options.

The report adds that Werder Bremen’s Romano Schmid has been tracked by West Ham, who were also interested in Andy Diouf before he joined Inter Milan from Lens.

West Ham are said to be ‘scouting extensively’ in France and have been impressed by Rennes' 21-year-old midfielder Djaoui Cisse, who is another wanted by Italian giants Inter.

Across Europe, Ajax’s Kenneth Taylor, Feyenoord’s Quinten Timber and Torino’s Ivan Ilic have also been added to West Ham’s shortlist of targets, while Getafe’s Christantus Uche is a more attack-minded midfield option who is viewed as an ‘affordable’ alternative.

West Ham have signed four players so far this summer, bringing in El Hadji Malick Diouf and Mads Hermansen for a combined fee close to £40m, as well as Kyle Walker-Peters and Callum Wilson on free transfers.