West Ham United midfielder Edson Alvarez has revealed that he was close to signing for Chelsea, and even had a plan waiting for him, before he joined the Hammers from Ajax last summer.

The Mexican international joined the Hammers from Ajax in a £35m deal last summer.

However, a year prior, Alvarez came close to joining Chelsea in the first transfer window of Todd Boehly’s reign as Chelsea owner.

Speaking in an interview with Caliente TV, the 26-year-old, who replaced Declan Rice at the heart of the West Ham midfield, said: “In year three [at Ajax], I had to go to Chelsea, the plane was waiting for me at the airport – then Ajax told me, ‘You know what: you’re not going’.”

“Whether people believe it or not, it doesn’t make any difference to me, I’m the one who is here and the one who is living it. I was an hour away from getting on the plane and going to sign for Chelsea.”

“Ajax told me: ‘You’re not going’. So, you’re not leaving, what do you do? There’s no way you’re leaving.”

Alvarez has impressed at the heart of West Ham’s midfield, making 35 appearances so far for David Moyes ‘ men.

“I was one hour away from Chelsea transfer with a plane waiting – then deal was called off”

“I was one hour away from Chelsea transfer with a plane waiting – then deal was called off”

Photo Credit: EdsonAlvarez19/ X