AS Monaco sports director Carlos Aviña Ibarrola has admitted that they tried to sign Edson Álvarez from West Ham United last month.
Fox Sports cover comments from the Monaco chief today in which he confirms they tried to sign the Mexican from West Ham before the window shut.
A report at the beginning of the January transfer window stated that the Ligue 1 side had targeted Álvarez as they sought out a defensive midfielder.
They were reportedly keen to make a move for the midfielder, who Aviña knows after previously working at CF American as Director of Development and then Director of Professional Football and Scouting.
Álvarez, of course, came through at the Mexican club as a youngster around the same time and made 115 appearances for them before moving to Ajax.
It was that previous relationship which had seemingly led to a potential reunion, although it was made clear West Ham did not intend to sell as the midfielder remains a key player under Graham Potter.
Ultimately a deal did not happen, with Monaco instead singing Moatasem Al-Musrati on loan from Besiktas to bolster their midfield options. Aviña, though, has confirmed they did their best to get Álvarez in from West Ham.
“Edson is obviously a player that I know very well from my time at América. It was an option that we were exploring, and we were pushing. Unfortunately, we could not reach an agreement,” he said.
“He is doing things very well at West Ham and I think it is no surprise that clubs like us and from other leagues are also looking for him.”
