Aston Villa could be set for talks with River Plate over winger Julian Alvarez, as reported by respected Radio Continental journalist Sebastián Srur on Twitter.
The Lowdown: Aston Villa gear up for 2021/22 with swift action
Looking to get their ducks in a row ahead of the 2021/22 season, many onlookers will be fascinated to see how the Villains improve on their 11th placed finish last term [Sportskeeda].
Of course, Villa have already been extremely active in the transfer window; acquiring Emiliano Buendia for a record fee from Norwich City alongside free agent Ashley Young [Birmingham Mail].
Intriguingly, they may now be well on their way to a third summer signing following latest reports.
The Latest: Srur drops intriguing update; Alvarez could have Villa talks ‘next week’
Speaking to his Twitter following, Srur, who has covered River Plate for nearly two decades, issued a promising update regarding Alvarez’s next move, which translated to:
“Aston Villa, interested in Julian Alvarez. It will be necessary to see if they advance with a concrete offer. There may be meetings next week in England”.
Alvarez is rumoured to be ready to take the next step in his career, viewing a switch to Europe as the correct option for his long-term future [Birmingham Mail].
The Verdict: Alvarez would be a great addition to Aston Villa
The Argentina international would be a real coup should Dean Smith’s attempts to bring him to Villa Park succeed – his compatriot and seasoned goalscorer Gonzalo Higuain revealed his ‘love’ for Alvarez back in March, praising him as a ‘huge’ player with a ‘lot of potential.’
Enjoying a dazzling 2020/21 campaign, the tricky wide-man notched an impressive 11 goal contributions from 20 appearances, with four goals and seven assists [Transfermarkt].
Already boasting an array of forward talent, the potential that Alvarez could team up with the likes of Ollie Watkins, Jack Grealish, Emiliano Buendia and Bertrand Traore is a mouth-watering prospect for the Villa support.
Capable of driving past players with ease, Alvarez has averaged 1.7 dribbles per 90 minutes this year [WhoScored]. Building the makings of a side that could push for continental football, securing his signature should be a priority for Aston Villa as they approach pre-season.
In other news, Aston Villa fans react to a Jack Grealish update.