Julian Alvarez’s agent has reportedly been in talks with Italian giants Napoli, with Newcastle United also keen on the forward this January.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the third-place Serie A side have made contact with the player’s entourage in recent days, with Alvarez eyed by Napoli as a potential replacement for Lorenzo Insigne, who will join Toronto FC in the summer.
With the future of Hirving Lozano also in question, an attacker is needed for Napoli this year, and after Alvarez’s breakout year with River Plate, the 21-year-old could be the perfect candidate for the southern Italian club.
However, multiple clubs are chasing the forward, with Gazzetta dello Sport reporting earlier in the month that Newcastle are not only keen on the forward, but are already to table a big-money offer for the winger.
Alvarez scored an impressive 22 goals for River last season, with the attacker scooping up the South American Player of the Year award and drawing comparisons to the likes of Neymar and Ronaldinho as per Expreso.
Indeed, Newcastle might have made an offer for Alvarez, yet it looks like the Argentine phenomenon will be taking his talents to Italy, where clubs are queuing up to sell their pitch to the forward.
Napoli could halt Newcastle’s chance to signing Alvarez
With Newcastle starring down the barrel of relegation, there is a good reason why Alvarez could be more open to joining the likes of Napoli, who are flying in the Italian top-flight and have a good chance of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League next season.
As for the Toon, their future is too unpredictable for a talent like Alvarez to bank his career on, whilst the likes of Napoli could be a more alluring prospect for the winger, who looks set to make a splash in Europe this year.
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