Graham Potter has reportedly told a £34m player he is not in his plans as West Ham step up efforts to land two of three targets.
The pair had a reported falling out towards the end of last season and the Hammers ace in question has constantly talked up a move away so the decision is no great surprise.
But claims that Graham Potter has now delivered the message marks a turning point in West Ham’s summer transfer window midfield rebuild and signals a busy few weeks ahead.
Transfer activity is really starting to kick into gear at West Ham now.
The controversial £54.5m sale of Mohammed Kudus to Spurs left a bitter taste in the mouth of Hammers fans.
West Ham’s transfer window finally comes to life
Many turned on majority owner David Sullivan over the decision to do business with the club’s bitter rivals for the first time in over 14 years.
But while West Ham’s PSR situation is unacceptably bad given the club’s income over recent years, the Kudus sale has at least enabled Potter to get busy.
The Hammers boss made his first signing in the shape of brilliant young left-wingback El Hadji Malick Diouf this week.
The 20-year-old Senegal starter has cost the Hammers £19m, which could rise to £23m.
Hot on the heels of Diouf’s arrival comes Kyle Walker-Peters.
European giants Besiktas had announced they were signing the free agent full-back on Monday.
But Besiktas were forced to admit the Walker-Peters move has collapsed after West Ham pounced with signing number two now imminent for Potter.
With the full-back positions covered – possibly for years to come – focus turns to midfield.
And Potter has told a £34m man to find a new club as West Ham home in on three stars.
ESPN Mexico sources claim Potter has told the country’s captain Edson Alvarez he is not in Potter’s plans for the new season.
Potter and Alvarez allegedly had a fall-out at the end of last season.
Potter tells linked-away Alvarez to find a new club
Alvarez posted a cryptic message after being frozen out by Potter as cracks started to appear in April.
His absence was officially put down to a back issue.
But insiders said there had been a disagreement between the Mexican and the 50-year-old. Alvarez also fell out of favour at the tail end of Moyes’ spell and had a row with Julen Lopetegui.
Potter has talked about getting West Ham back to having a strong team spirit where players are like one big family.
The head coach has also spoken at length about players wanting to be at West Ham and having the personality and drive to push the club forward.
Alvarez has unashamedly talked up a move away from West Ham on a host of occasions.
West Ham home in on three midfield stars
ESPN Mexico claims Potter has told Alvarez he is not part of his plans to overhaul West Ham’s midfield.
And, the sources claim, the Hammers boss has even told Alvarez Freddie Potts is now ahead of him in his thoughts.
The news comes as West Ham home in on moves for three midfielders.
Jack Grealish on loan is starting to look like a pipedream.
But West Ham are pushing to do a double deal for Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton.
The Hammers are also seriously interested in another Southampton player – Mateus Fernandes.
The Portuguese has some of the best defensive midfield statistics in all of Europe’s top five leagues despite playing in a woefully bad Saints side.
Southampton are open to selling after their relegation too.
It has been claimed the Hammers are in talks with Liverpool over a £55m double deal for Elliott and Morton while Fernandes is said to be valued at around £20m.
Two new midfielders wanted for Potter’s rebuild
West Ham are likely to sign two of the three rather than all three.
Kudus’ sale is payable to West Ham in three instalments, meaning they have £18m in the bank for deals.
With the majority of transfers payable over the course of the player’s contract, it means West Ham could sign four £30m players with the first tranche of money from Tottenham as only £4-5m would be needed for the initial payments.
Diouf for example would have cost West Ham around £4m this summer.
With a goalkeeper, centre-back and at least one striker – if not two – still wanted by Potter then further funds will be needed.
So it could be Alvarez sold next if ESPN Mexico’s sources are accurate.
AC Milan have been the club most recently linked with the midfielder, who turns 28 next season.