Reported Aston Villa target Julian Alvarez has “everything to succeed in Europe” as the Premier League outfit weighs up a £15 million bid, River Plate teammate Matias Suarez has told ESPN.
At this stage, how serious Villa are about the fleet-footed forward remains a mystery.
Last week, Calciomercato reported 21-year-old Alvarez had his heart set on a move across the Atlantic, with his agent set to hold talks with Aston Villa and Eredivisie champions Ajax.
But to say an agreement is imminent for a man who secured a place in Argentina’s Copa America squad at the expense of Emi Buendia would be false.
The Athletic believes that while contact with River Plate has been made, the Midlands giants have yet to firm up their interest in a man whose speed and skill could make him an ideal fit for the hustle and bustle of the Premier League.
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Wherever Alvarez ends up, fellow Albiceleste international Suarez is convinced the talented attacker would make good on his potential.
“They have everything to succeed in Europe,” Suarez said when asked about the future of Alvarez as well as Everton-linked Nicolas De La Cruz and long-running West Ham target Gonzalo Montiel.
“(De La Cruz, Montiel and Alvarez) have shown it and now they do it in their national teams. They have the talent to continue growing there.”
While reports linking De La Cruz and Montiel with a move to England have disappeared of late, Aston Villa’s interest in Alvarez is likely to increase if Jack Grealish seals a British-record £100 million move to Manchester City after Euro 2020.
While not a direct replacement for their talismanic captain – Alvarez is more comfortable on the right and arguably shares more similarities with Anwar El Ghazi in terms of playing style.
One of the most exciting talents in South America would ensure Ollie Watkins wouldn’t be short of service in any post-Grealish era.
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