West Ham have officially completed the signing of Edson Alvarez from Ajax, it has been reported by ExWHUEmployee.

It will be seen as a huge relief that the club have secured the replacement for Declan Rice, who departed the club this summer for £105m.

Alvarez, who is a highly rated defensive midfielder, was a target for both Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea, has signed a long-term contract with the club and could possibly make his debut this weekend when we face Bournemouth in the Premier League curtain raiser.

“We can confirm exclusively that Edson Alvarez has completed his move to West Ham,” reported ExWHUEmployee on The West Ham Way Patreon.

“The player has been a long term target of the club having been watched last season. This is the player that was always identified as the number one target to replace the out going captain Declan Rice.

“We broke the transfer exclusively to you patreons in May on the podcast. This will hopefully be the start of a couple of other players arriving shortly.

“We will confirm the terms of the deal but we think it is £35m (including clauses) on a 5 year deal with the option of another putting him in one the higher earner brackets!

“Whether the player will be fit enough to feature this weekend remains to be seen as he hasn’t had much of a preseason due to Gold Cup commitments, which Mexico won in the 17th July.”

Ex has been commended for his outstanding reporting this summer, particularly on this transfer, with our club insider first breaking our interest in Alvarez back in May.

West Ham are expected to secure more signings, with deals agreed for both James Ward-Prowse and Harry Maguire. Ex will be keeping fans up to date on the progress of all club activity on Patreon.