Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez has admitted that he did ‘all he could’ to leave Ajax on transfer deadline day, but that he was left ‘very disappointed’ when his proposed move to Chelsea did not materialise for the Mexican.
Alvarez was subject to a £50m offer from the Blues on deadline day last summer, and went on strike in order to try and force a move through to west London. However, with Ajax having already sold several key first team players, the move was blocked, and Chelsea ended up signing Denis Zakaria on loan for the season instead.
And, though Alvarez has started every game he has been eligible for since, he is still upset a move did not transpire.
“As a player you are aware that this would change everything”, he told ESPNnl. A better league, a better life for you and for your family. This is what it’s all about for me. I am here for my love for football but also for my family.”
“We never expected Chelsea to place another bid. It was a very difficult situation. Ajax couldn’t do anything, meanwhile I fought as much as I could but I didn’t want to fight too much as I know I still have a responsibility within this club.”
“I am very disappointed about it. But I am convinced that one day another big club will come for me. This winter, or in the summer. For now I can only focus on Ajax.”
Both are set to receive interest aplenty across Europe, with Barcelona on the hunt for more free agents to add to their ranks, while Juventus and Napoli are longtime admirers of Jorginho and Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with a move for Kante.
And, should both depart, Chelsea’s engine room will have a threadbare look, meaning that a move for Alvarez could well be on the cards.
