Shakhtar Donetsk are ready to make River Plate an offer for reported Tottenham Hotspur target Julian Alvarez during the January transfer window, according to TuttoMercatoWEB.
Alvarez is highly sought-after across Europe with a number of top clubs monitoring the 21-year-old. The Argentine has put possible suitors on alert with prolific form so far this term.
He has scored a whopping 15 goals in just 16 Primera Division fixtures, of which he has only started 13. The five-cap striker has also laid on six assists by the 20-game mark of the term.
Alvarez has scored his last 10 goals in just seven games, too, after firing a hat-trick at home to San Lorenzo, before netting a four-goal haul against Patronato earlier this month.
Shakhtar are now ready to formalise their interest in Alvarez by offering River Plate €20m (£17m) for a January transfer. But the Ukrainian giants could face competition from Spurs.
Recent reports by Calciomercato claimed Tottenham, Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen are among Alvarez’s suitors for a January transfer away from River Plate.
AC Milan are also among the most active clubs pursuing the striker. But they baulked at triggering his €25m (£21m) release clause when instructed to by River Plate last year.
However, he could leave for less, as Alvarez’s contract at the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti expires in December 2022.
Should Tottenham rival Shakhtar for transfer of River Plate star Alvarez?
Alvarez is unlikely to leave River Plate for much less than the Tottenham target’s release clause, given what Shakhtar are allegedly prepared to offer for a transfer next January.
River Plate will not want to give much of a discount, either, given his sensational form so far this season. Following a four-goal, seven-assist campaign last term over 24 outings.
Alvarez has found another level to his potential that may convince Tottenham to dig deep for a transfer. While Calciomercato note his nickname is ‘the Arana’, aka ‘the spider’, for his ability to retain the ball under duress. With it almost impossible to snatch possession.
But the likelihood of more regular minutes at Shakhtar than in north London may convince Alvarez to snub a transfer to Tottenham, should he leave River Plate in the January market.
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