Bayern favour England star over Ajax midfielder

Tom Hancock

• 18 May 2023 13:49 BST
• 3 min read

Bayern Munich appear to be going off the idea of making a move for Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez this summer.

The reigning Bundesliga champions – who are closing in on their 11th straight title – have been strongly linked with the 25-year-old in recent weeks but now seem set to turn their attention to alternative targets.

Bayern’s arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund are also said to be keen on the Mexican international, who our in-house Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) model currently rates at €29.7m.

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Among the other defensive midfield options Bayern are reportedly seriously considering is Declan Rice – although Arsenal are thought to remain favourites to land the England star, for whom West Ham could demand more than €100m.

Rice has 46 appearances for the Hammers in all competitions this season, scoring four goals and assisting another four. The 24-year-old also started all five of England’s games in their run to the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.

As well as Bayern and Arsenal, Manchester United continue to be touted as a potential landing spot for Rice – who has spent his whole senior career with West Ham.

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Ajax to say adios to Alvarez?

With regards to Alvarez, BILD previously claimed that Dortmund were much keener on Alvarez – who has won 61 caps for Mexico – than Bayern and had already made contact with Ajax over a potential deal.

The two clubs did business last summer, with striker Sebastian Haller swapping the Dutch giants for BVB in a €31m switch.

During the same window, Alvarez was reportedly on the verge of completing a €63m to Chelsea; Ajax held firm to keep hold of one of their star men, although it is thought that they will entertain offers for him this summer.