West Ham are keeping tabs on Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez, according to reports in the English media.

The Mexican international is believed to have impressed scouts during their trips to watch games in the Eredivisie this season.

Alvarez has been linked with a move to Manchester United in the past but he actually came closest to joining Chelsea on deadline day at the start of last month.

The Blues were desperate to recruit a holding midfield player so they decided to table an offer worth around €50m (£43m) for Alvarez. Ajax reportedly rejected the bid as they had no way of replacing him before the transfer window closed.

There is a possibility that Graham Potter’s side will return for Alvarez in the New Year so the Hammers may find it difficult to secure the 25-year-old’s signature.

Manager David Moyes has been looking to add more depth in the middle of the park, with the club having lost out on Amadou Onana and Matheus Nunes in the summer.