“Bad Luck for West Ham?” – David Moyes rejected superstar from joining West Ham in 2021; Now, the player is worth £82 million, and creating different records in his current club, while West Ham’s new signing is INJURED.

West Ham’s Missed Opportunity: David Moyes Rejected Julian Alvarez in 2021, Now He’s Worth £82 Million

West Ham United’s current manager, Julen Lopetegui, made a significant impact during the 2024 summer transfer window. With seven new signings, including young talents like Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Füllkrug, Lopetegui has started shaping the squad in his vision. However, neither player has made a notable impact in their first five games for the Hammers. This slow start aside, these signings reflect the ambition of the new regime as West Ham moves forward from the David Moyes era.

David Moyes, now a legendary figure at West Ham for his role in winning the 2022/23 UEFA Europa Conference League, had a significant impact during his two spells in charge of the club. However, not all his decisions were perfect. One key moment that stands out in retrospect was his rejection of the opportunity to sign Julian Alvarez, a player who has since become a global superstar.

Moyes’ Rejection of Julian Alvarez

In 2021, Moyes was approached by his scouting team, who recommended signing a young Argentinian striker named Julian Alvarez, then playing for River Plate. Moyes, however, opted against making the move, despite being impressed with Alvarez’s technical skills. At the time, Michail Antonio was in excellent form for West Ham, scoring four goals and providing three assists in his first three matches of the 2021/22 season. Given Antonio’s performances, Moyes decided to pass on the opportunity to bring Alvarez to London.

Speaking on Steven Bartlett’s Diary of a CEO podcast, Moyes admitted, “I watched [Alvarez] and thought he was a very good technician, but with Antonio performing so well, I thought we didn’t need him at that time.” It’s a decision that Moyes would likely come to regret, as Alvarez’s career trajectory skyrocketed after that moment.

The Rise of Julian Alvarez

After being overlooked by Moyes and West Ham, Julian Alvarez moved to Manchester City in the summer of 2022 for a modest fee of £14 million. At City, Alvarez quickly made a name for himself, showcasing his incredible talent under the guidance of Pep Guardiola. In his time at Manchester City, Alvarez scored 36 goals in 103 appearances, earning a reputation as one of the most exciting young forwards in the world.

Alvarez’s impact was instrumental in Manchester City’s success during the 2022/23 season, where he played a pivotal role in their treble-winning campaign, helping the club secure the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League titles. Guardiola, who described Alvarez as “incredible,” spoke highly of the striker’s ability to adapt to the demands of English football and his natural goal-scoring instincts.

Despite his success at City, Alvarez sought more consistent first-team opportunities, which led to his departure from the club in the 2024 summer transfer window. He joined Atlético Madrid for a staggering £82 million, netting Manchester City a remarkable £68 million profit just two years after signing him. Alvarez’s rise in market value, from £14 million to £82 million, underscores the missed opportunity for West Ham.

What Could Have Been for West Ham

Had David Moyes taken a chance on Alvarez in 2021, the landscape at West Ham could have been significantly different. Alvarez’s goal-scoring prowess and technical ability would have added a new dimension to West Ham’s attack, potentially elevating them to greater heights both domestically and in European competitions.

For West Ham, the decision to pass on Alvarez represents a massive missed opportunity. Not only did they miss out on a player who could have become a key figure for the club, but the potential financial windfall from Alvarez’s eventual sale could have bolstered West Ham’s transfer budget significantly. His transfer to Atlético Madrid for £82 million could have been West Ham’s, allowing them to reinvest in other areas of the squad.

The Hammers have had a history of big-money signings that have failed to live up to expectations, with many leaving the club without making a significant impact. Alvarez,

had he been signed, would have likely bucked that trend and offered the club both on-field success and a huge financial return. His skill set, combining technical ability, finishing, and versatility, would have been a significant asset for a team that has often struggled to find consistent goal-scoring threats beyond Michail Antonio.

Alvarez’s Impact in Europe

Julian Alvarez’s success at Manchester City and his eventual move to Atlético Madrid not only highlights his talent but also emphasizes the broader footballing world’s recognition of his abilities. Under Pep Guardiola, Alvarez grew as a player, learning from some of the best in the game, including Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland. His experience in winning a historic treble with Manchester City gave him the pedigree of a top European footballer.

Alvarez’s transfer to Atlético Madrid was driven by his desire for more consistent first-team football, something that was difficult to guarantee at City given the presence of Haaland. However, at Atlético, Alvarez has the opportunity to be the leading man in Diego Simeone’s squad, further developing his game in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues. This move was not just a testament to Alvarez’s abilities but also reflected the increasing demand for dynamic, versatile forwards in European football.

West Ham’s Recruitment Struggles

For West Ham, the story of missing out on Julian Alvarez is just one chapter in a longer tale of recruitment challenges. While the club has had some success in the transfer market, particularly under David Moyes, they have also experienced their fair share of missteps. High-profile signings that failed to deliver on their promise have hampered the club’s progress at times, and Alvarez could have been the player to change that narrative.

Moyes’ success at West Ham, particularly in securing the UEFA Europa Conference League title in 2023, cemented his legacy at the club. However, his reluctance to take a gamble on Alvarez is a reminder of how even the most successful managers can make decisions that, in hindsight, seem ill-advised. Alvarez’s development from a young prospect at River Plate to a world-class forward at Manchester City and now Atlético Madrid serves as a stark contrast to some of the players West Ham did sign during that period, many of whom failed to make a lasting impact.

A Lesson for Future Transfers

West Ham’s missed opportunity with Alvarez highlights the importance of scouting and taking calculated risks in the transfer market. In modern football, the landscape can change rapidly, and players who are undervalued or overlooked can quickly become global stars. Alvarez’s journey is a prime example of this, as his relatively low-profile move to Manchester City has now seen him become one of the most expensive players in European football.

For West Ham, the Alvarez situation should serve as a lesson for future transfer windows. With Lopetegui now at the helm, there is hope that the club’s recruitment strategy will become more refined, with a greater emphasis on identifying and securing young talent before their value skyrockets. Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Füllkrug are examples of Lopetegui’s ambition to bring in fresh faces, but time will tell if these signings will have the desired impact.

Conclusion

David Moyes’ decision to pass on signing Julian Alvarez in 2021 will likely be remembered as one of West Ham’s most significant missed opportunities in recent years. Alvarez’s meteoric rise, culminating in his £82 million move to Atlético Madrid, showcases the potential that West Ham could have harnessed had they made a different choice.

While Moyes will always be celebrated for his achievements at West Ham, including leading the club to European glory, the story of Julian Alvarez will serve as a reminder that even the best managers can occasionally miss out on talent that goes on to achieve greatness. As West Ham moves forward under Julen Lopetegui, the club will aim to avoid similar mistakes, ensuring they capitalize on the next generation of footballing stars before it’s too late.

For Alvarez, his career trajectory continues to trend upward, and at just 24 years old, the sky’s the limit for what he can achieve at Atlético Madrid and beyond. For West Ham, the challenge will be identifying the next Alvarez before another club swoops in and reaps the rewards.