West Ham 'straight swap' likely in 'hell of a statement'

West Ham and AC Milan have been linked to a potential swap deal, with Edson Alvarez moving to the San Siro and Ruben Loftus-Cheek returning to England.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Hammers striker Frank McAvennie admits that the 26-year-old Mexican ‘could do more’ and that the club should be looking at a straight swap for him and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, 28.

Alvarez has featured in five of West Ham’s opening seven Premier League games so far this season, racking up 245 minutes.

The club brought in two central midfielders with European pedigree over the summer, signing Carlos Soler on loan from PSG and World Cup winner Guido Rodriguez on a free.

West Ham backed in Edson Alvarez Ruben Loftus-Cheek swap deal

Since leaving Chelsea for AC Milan in July 2023, Loftus-Cheek has been playing consistent football for the first time in his career.

It’s been an underwhelming start to the season for the Italian giants with three wins, two draws, and two defeats from their opening seven Serie A games so a return to London could appeal to the central midfielder.

“Alvarez has not really done it”, McAvennie told Football Insider.

“We’ve got loads of midfield players and I like Alvarez, when he plays he’s a good player.

“When he wants to take control of the game he can and that’s a hell of a statement, it means, for me, he could do more.

“When he wants to make a statement he can, he’s that good a player but if there is rumours like that then something has happened.

“I’ve not seen Loftus-Cheek for ages but before he left he was a good player, I would think the manager and his boys will be having a look to see if it’s a good deal.

“But he won’t let Alvarez go unless he’s got somebody to come in and do that job.

“It’s a good position, but you’ve got to know what you’re doing in there.

“It’ll be interesting, but I would imagine he’d want to buy someone else rather than just do a straight swap.”

In other news, Lucas Paqueta: Insider shares real reason Man City deal collapsed.

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The post West Ham 'straight swap' likely in 'hell of a statement' appeared first on Football Insider.