West Ham United can make a "huge statement signing" by bringing Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez to the London Stadium, claims journalist Pete O'Rourke.

The 25-year-old is said to be one player the Hammers are looking at as they prepare for Declan Rice's possible departure in the summer.

GiveMeSport Transfer Verdict

West Ham transfer news - Edson Alvarez

Transfer insider Graeme Bailey recently told Loaded Mag NUFC that West Ham are considering signing Alvarez because of Rice's potential switch to Chelsea.

Ironically, the Hammers' London rivals tried to bring the Mexican to Stamford Bridge in the previous window but failed.

According to Sky Sports, Chelsea made a £43m bid for Alvarez, which was unsuccessful in the end.

The above did not come as too much of a surprise, with the offer arriving extremely late in the window. Ajax had also sold Antony, Lisandro Martinez and Sebastien Haller that summer, meaning they did not need the money.

Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: Confirmed Deals, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know

What has Pete O'Rourke said about Edson Alvarez and West Ham?

O'Rourke thinks West Ham can make a statement by signing a player like Alvarez.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, the journalist said: "Midfield has been an area of concern for West Ham. They didn't land all of their top targets in the summer, so it's been a position that David Moyes wants to fill. And if he can sign someone like Alvarez, it would be a huge statement signing."

Would Edson Alvarez be a good Declan Rice replacement?

West Ham will obviously not want to lose their captain, but if they do, Alvarez may be able to fill the hole the England international would leave.

Alvarez is good at winning back the ball, making 2.5 tackles per game in the Eredivisie this season, as per WhoScored. None of his team-mates have a better average than him.

The Mexico international is also winning 2.5 aerial duels a match, which is the highest average in Ajax's squad. Based on that and the above, he could add a lot of steel to West Ham in the middle of the park.

Something that may also appeal to West Ham supporters is the fact that he is seen as a leader at Ajax.

"Edson is not the captain, but to me he is playing like one on the field," his manager Alfred Schreuder told TNT Sports (via American Chronicles) last year. "He is a true leader on the pitch."

West Ham, then, could do a lot worse than Alvarez if they do end up needing to replace Rice.

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