West Ham United transfer news as first bid made for Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez

West Ham United have reportedly entered the bidding war to sign Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez this summer, according to journalist Aaron Dominguez.

The Hammers have been identifying several targets to replace the outgoing Declan Rice, with Alavarez, Fulham’s Joao Palhinha and Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse top Moyes targets in midfield this summer.

The Mexican maestro was all set to join Borussia Dortmund, but transfer guru Fabrizio Romano dropped an update on 29 June that may have handed West Ham all the encouragement to have a free-run at his services, after the German giants pulled out of the race to sign him.

And according to Dominguez, taking to his personal Twitter account [1 July], West Ham have made an opening offer to prize the Mexican away from Ajax.

And according to Dominguez, taking to his personal Twitter account [1 July], West Ham have made an opening offer to prize the MexiAnd

Although Dortmund may have seemed the favourites for Alvarez’s signature this summer, West Ham United were well inclined to push even further for the player, and the stars have now seemed to align for Moyes to pursue an attractive and superb Rice replacement for next season.

The Mexican international is an exceptional and “fantastic” player and certainly seems the ideal post-Rice capture, given his dominant showings for Ajax both at domestic level and on the European stage.

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The 22-year-old, who can also operate as a winger, has said that Rice really impressed him in training.

According to The Sun, Rice has agreed personal terms with Arsenal, who are now finalising a £105 million deal with West Ham United.

Emile Smith Rowe on Arsenal target Declan Rice

Smith Rowe said about Rice to The Sun: “I can’t speak highly enough of him. I remember my first camp and I was surprised with how good he actually was.

“He was the best in training. Just his level, intensity, technically, everything he was doing. A real leader and still so young. He was really, really good.”

Declan Rice is one of the best midfielders around, and we believe that the West Ham United star would be a brilliant signing for Arsenal in the summer transfer window.

The 24-year-old can hold his own in the middle of the park and can also drive the team forward.

While Rice is likely to be deployed in a sitting midfield position in Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s team, he could be given the licence to march forward and give the Gunners an extra edge.

Arsenal really pushed Manchester City for the Premier League title last season, and with Rice in the team, the Gunners will feel that they will close the gap at least.