Edson Alvarez Transfer Twist: How Monterrey Midfielder Influenced Olympiacos Talks

According to a report by Sportime, new information has surfaced from the failed Edson Alvarez-to-Olympiacos saga this summer. The latest news reveals that the Mexican captain reportedly contacted his national teammate Orbelin Pineda to assess a potential transfer to the Piraeus club. 

Alvarez's contact with Pineda stems from the latter's four-season association with AEK Athens. He spent the 2022-23 season at the Athens side on loan from Celta Vigo before the club made the signing permanent until 2026. The 30-year-old returned to Mexican football this summer, arriving at Monterrey under manager Matías Almeyda. 

Pineda is believed to have given Alvarez a positive impression of Olympiacos when he wanted to learn more about the Red and Whites. The Mexican international was announced as the Greek Super League's Player of the Season for the second time in his career, following AEK Athens' league title win last season. 

While Alvarez got the information he needed to make a decision on his future, Olympiacos decided to call off the move after progressing talks with West Ham, and signed Gustavo Puerta on a club-record fee from newly promoted La Liga side Racing de Santander. Thrylos wanted a younger midfielder in their ranks, and investing in the Colombian international turned out to be a much better option than Alvarez. 

However, this season's case has already thrown the Mexican captain's future at West Ham up in the air. He has been left out of the spotlight by the EFL Championship side as they battle for promotion to the Premier League, and has featured only once since the start of the new campaign. While Olympiacos seem to have a stacked midfield department as of now, the winter transfer window could emerge as an opportunity for the Greek giants to sign Alvarez for a cut-price fee. He has fallen out of favour with Nuno Espírito Santo, and this could play right into the hands of Olympiacos. 

The interest in Alvarez came after the arrival of Armando Gonzalez from Chivas de Guadalajara in Piraeus. Following the injury to first-choice striker Ayoub El Kaabi, La Hormiga has stepped up as Imanol Aguacil's sole striker up front, battling pressure from Roman Yaremchuk, who remains the second option for now. 

Despite the surge in interest in Mexican talent, Olympiacos are increasingly looking to add Greek national team players to their squad, quoting youth academy graduate and OFI Crete men Thanasis Androutsos for a possible transfer this winter.