Newcastle now face wait until after World Cup to sign star midfielder

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Newcastle United want Edson Alvarez but Ajax seemingly want to wait until after the World Cup before agreeing to sell him.

The Magpies are in the market for another midfielder, but different profiles have been linked.

There have been playmakers suggested – the likes of Lucas Paqueta and James Maddison, which would see them operate further forward than Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes.

There have also been more defensively-minded options linked, which would allow Guimaraes and Joelinton to get from box to box and impact the game further forward.

It will be interesting to see which way Eddie Howe goes here, but Ajax star Edson Alvarez is a fascinating target.

Newcastle United want Edson Alvarez

Reports from TUDN in Alvarez’s native Mexico have claimed that Newcastle offered £25million to sign Alvarez.

Ajax rejected that bid and it looks like Newcastle will now have to wait until January if they want to sign the Eredivisie ace.

De Telegraaf’s Mike Verweij has reported in recent days that Ajax want to wait until after the World Cup to decide whether or not to sell Alvarez.

Verweij is one of the most reliable sources in the Netherlands and he suggested on De Telegraaf’s ‘Kick Off’ podcast that Alvarez is unlikely to move on this summer.

Alvarez will be in action for Mexico at the World Cup later this year and Ajax will know exactly what that can do to a player’s value.

If Alvarez impresses in Qatar, Ajax could stand to earn much, much more than the £25million Newcastle offered.

Mexico are in a group with Poland, Argentina and Saudi Arabia and will have real aspirations of making it into the knockout stages.

That means Alvarez will have the chance to test himself against the likes of Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Piotr Zielinski and Giovani Lo Celso.

Should Alvarez more than hold his own against those players, other clubs may well join the race for his signature.

Alvarez has proven himself as a quality holding midfielder during his time with Ajax and Newcastle will surely watch his progress at the World Cup if the Dutch club remain firm on their transfer stance.