Chelsea chief Todd Boehly breaks promise to player as Prem rivals set to seal transfer
Chelsea look set to miss out on a target for Mauricio Pochettino despite a past promise from Todd Boehly.
Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez is edging closer towards a move to West Ham this summer, despite Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly promising to return for the £35million-rated Eredivisie star. The Hammers have made a £25m opening bid, £10m shy of Ajax’s valuation, but could reach a compromise on the fee and beat the Blues to his signature.
The Daily Mail have claimed that West Ham have already agreed personal terms with Alvarez on a five-year contract which would see him earn close to £150,000 a week as David Moyes attempts to replace former captain Declan Rice. He is ready to cut his holiday short to complete a medical once a fee has been reached, as West Ham look to get one over on Chelsea.
Mauricio Pochettino has been intent on improving his midfield, but so far has been unable to land his top target in Moises Caicedo – with Brighton unwilling to climb down from their £100m asking price. Conor Gallagher is looking the likeliest player to partner Enzo Fernandez for the Blues’ opening game of the Premier League season against Liverpool.
Alvarez had been viewed as another alternative to Caicedo and a long-term target of the Chelsea hierarchy, having been shortlisted during Boehly and co’s first summer but Ajax were not willing to part ways with the Mexico international after already losing Lisandro Martinez and Antony.
Journalist Ben Jacobs previously told The Football Terrace that Boehly personally reassured Alvarez that Chelsea would return for the 25-year-old in a later transfer window, but that has not come to fruition and he could instead be lining up for their London rivals in the coming season.
Alvarez all but confirmed that a big club – such as Chelsea – would return for him after last summer’s saga. “As a player you are aware that this would change everything,” he reflected.
