Mexican midfielder Edson Alvarez has insisted he is delighted to have joined West Ham, despite talks with Borussia Dortmund this summer.
The midfielder has been speaking to the Mexican National Team’s YouTube channel regarding the international set up and a busy summer for himself.
For much of it he had looked likely to join Borussia Dortmund, with reports throughout the transfer window making it clear they were keen, and a deal was progressing.
The German side later pulled out of a deal, though, deciding against a move and looking at other targets as they reshaped their midfield after selling Jude Bellingham to Real Madrid.
That left Alvarez at Ajax but not for long, with West Ham moving quickly at the beginning of August to wrap up a €38m deal.
They were also looking to rebuild their midfield after selling Declan Rice to Arsenal and spent big to sign Alvarez, alongside deals for James Ward-Prowse and Mohamed Kudus.
In terms of Kudus and Alvarez, the moves were very much considered coups for the Hammers, with both having long been linked to bigger clubs in Europe.
They’ve opted for the London Stadium, though, and Alvarez insists he is more than happy with how things have turned out.
“Yes, the transfer market is always quite busy for all of us, obviously we hear a lot of things,” he said.
“There was a little bit on the Dortmund side that was a fairly specific option, and, in the end, it couldn’t be, but well, there was a lot of rapprochements on their part, including visits to Amsterdam to meet my family.
“I have always been of the idea that things happen for a reason, that everything is perfect and good. Now I am more than happy about the step I took to join West Ham, which is a team that in one month has shown me a lot of things.
“When you reach the best league in the world, the truth is that it is something inexplicable.
“When we closed it, I flew to Amsterdam and from there I flew to London, but I didn’t have any training, so, imagine arriving directly at the intensity of the first days.
“I had a very bad time in the sense of rhythm, but as the training went on it has gone very well for me and it has adapted to me quite well. In any case, I know that I still have a lot to improve because it is a league that pushes you to the limit not only mentally but physically.”
