In a surprising revelation, West Ham midfielder Edson Alvarez has divulged a near-miss transfer saga involving Chelsea during his time at Ajax. Despite eventually sealing a £35 million move to the Hammers last summer, Alvarez disclosed that he was on the brink of joining Stamford Bridge but was thwarted by a last-minute decision from his then-club.

Recalling the dramatic turn of events, Alvarez shared that he was just an hour away from jetting off to finalize a deal with Chelsea when Ajax unexpectedly put the brakes on the move. “Actually, in year three [at Ajax], I had to go to Chelsea, the plane was waiting for me at the airport,” Alvarez revealed in an interview with Caliente TV. “When Ajax told me, ‘You know what: you’re not going.'”

Despite the missed opportunity, Alvarez has thrived at West Ham, making a notable impact in his debut season in the English football scene. The 26-year-old midfielder has featured in 35 matches, notching up two goals across the Premier League and Europa League.

Meanwhile, Chelsea’s midfield roster has undergone a significant transformation in recent transfer windows under the Todd Boehly reign at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have secured the services of several promising talents including Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia, Lesley Ugochukwu, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Cesare Casadei, showcasing the club’s commitment to rejuvenating their squad with fresh talent.