Jose Mourinho close to acquiring West Ham midfielder

Jose Mourinho is entering his second season as the manager of Turkish club Fenerbahce. He led the team to a second-place finish in the Super Lig, winning 26 games, drawing six and losing four. The club began the 2025-26 season with a 0-0 draw against Goztepe. 

Fenerbahce has all the traits of a Mourinho-coached team. It is tactically sound and defensively minded. However, it is missing something in midfield, and that's where Edson Alvarez could come into the equation.

According to an Aug. 18 report from Fabrizio Romano, Fenerbahce has begun talks to sign the West Ham United midfielder. However, Mourinho's team will likely face competition, with multiple European teams reportedly showing interest.

"Fenerbahce open talks to sign Edson Alvarez as new midfielder, strongly wanted by Jose Mourinho," Romano reported via X. "Initial contacts took place as two more European clubs have made an approach to sign Alvarez after Ajax interest. Alvarez is considering his options now. No decision yet."

Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, one of Turkey's most respected football journalists, has since reported that Fenerbahce is close to securing a loan deal for Alvarez with an option to buy. 

"Fenerbahce is close to finalizing a loan deal with a purchase option for Edson Alvarez," Sabuncuoglu reported via X. "West Ham requested the payment of the loan fee along with the player's full salary, and Fenerbahce has agreed to these terms. Final negotiations regarding the purchase option are ongoing. The player is awaiting the clubs' agreement." 

Alvarez joined West Ham in a $47.3 million deal from Ajax in 2023. He played in 31 games during his debut season and 28 games during the 2024-25 campaign. However, since Graham Potter arrived at London Stadium, Alvarez has fallen out of favor, finding himself consigned to a bench role. 

A move to Fenerbahce could work in everyone's favor. Mourinho would get the all-action midfielder his system usually craves, Alvarez would get regular first-team football and West Ham would be free to focus on Potter's preferred group of players. 

Of course, West Ham would likely prefer an obligation to buy, rather than just an option on the loan deal. But with the transfer window drawing closer, this move should make sense for all involved.