West Ham target Ajax midfielder Edson Álvarez to replace Declan Rice

Ajax are demanding £45m for Edson Álvarez, who has emerged as a target for West Ham as they line up replacements for Declan Rice.

Rice will be allowed to leave, with Arsenal his likeliest destination, and replacing him will be one of David Moyes’s biggest challenges. West Ham, who are also in pole position to bolster their attack by signing Harvey Barnes from Leicester, are expected to target two central midfielders.

Moyes is keen on James Ward-Prowse, who will leave Southampton after their relegation from the Premier League, and West Ham are also considering a move for Álvarez. Ajax are prepared to sell the Mexico international, the subject of a bid from Chelsea last summer, and want £40m plus £5m in add-ons.

West Ham are looking to negotiate a lower fee for Álvarez, who has extensive Champions League experience, and that could hurt their chances of signing him. They risk missing out on the 25-year-old to Borussia Dortmund, who have money to spend after agreeing to sell Jude Bellingham to Real Madrid for €103m (£88.5m) plus add-ons that could reach about another €30m. West Ham hope Ajax settle for less after missing out on Champions League qualification.

João Palhinha is an alternative midfield option for West Ham but the Portugal international would not be cheap after impressing since joining Fulham for £20m last summer. There is an obvious appeal to Ward-Prowse because of the England international’s Premier League experience and set-piece prowess.

West Ham, who qualified for the Europa League after winning the Europa Conference League, know it will take more than one player to fill the gap left by Rice. West Ham want at least £100m for their captain, who is wanted by Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Newcastle and Manchester