Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly looks set to break a transfer promise he made to Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez. The Blues had a £43million bid for the Mexico international rejected by the Dutch outfit late in last summer's transfer window before opting to sign Denis Zakaria on loan from Juventus.
football.london previously reported Alvarez is someone who has been tracked by the west London club for some time. Ajax were reluctant to let the 25-year-old leave after the Blues made an approach following the Dutch transfer window closing.
The Amsterdam-based club would not have been able to go out and purchase a direct replacement for the Mexican midfielder, although they eventually signed Florian Grillitsch on a free transfer – which was allowed despite the window being closed. Chelsea's incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino is said to have made three key transfer demands ahead of becoming the Blues' head coach - with the Argentine wanting to sign a new goalkeeper, midfielder and striker.
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This sparked speculation that Chelsea could reignite their interest in Alvarez and partner him alongside Enzo Fernandez heading into next season. Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have been linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge, whilst N'Golo Kante's future remains uncertain with an agreement over a new contract still yet to be reached.
Following Alvarez's failed move to Stamford Bridge last summer, in which he attempted to force through by following Antony's example by refusing to report for first team training in the summer, the Mexican midfielder opened up on what happened during deadline day.
Alvarez told ESPN in Holland: "I am very disappointed about it [failed move to Chelsea]. But I am convinced that one day a big club will come.
"We never expected Chelsea to put in another bid at the end of August. It was a difficult situation. Ajax couldn't do anything."
CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs told The Football Terrace in January that Boehly had reassured Alvarez that he would return for him in the summer transfer window, but the promise of that moment has not materialised as of yet. According to German news outlet Sport1, both Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have now stepped up their interest in signing the Mexican midfielder - which puts Alvarez's hopes of moving to Stamford Bridge at serious risk.
The report adds that Ajax could be prepared to sell their man for just £30million this summer - £13million less than what they were offered by Chelsea last summer. Depending what happens in terms of player sales this summer, the Blues could still reignite their interest in the Ajax star - but for now it looks as though he will end up completing a move to Germany instead.
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