Shakhtar Donetsk director Dario Srna has given Tottenham Hotspur hope in their reported chase of Julian Alvarez by ruling his Ukrainian side out of a transfer for the River Plate star.
Reports by TuttoMercatoWEB last week claimed Shakhtar were ready to pay River Plate €20m (£17m) to sign Alvarez in January.
The Argentine striker is highly in-demand after a prolific start to the season with 16 goals in just 17 games. He has also provided six assists, despite only being involved in 11 goals over 24 outings throughout last term.
Alvarez struck his latest goal to secure a 1-0 win for River Plate at Club Atletico Platense on Monday. He has now scored 15 goals in his last 11 Liga Professional appearances alone.
Tottenham are among the clubs considering transfers for Alvarez as he continues to shine for River Plate, per Calciomercato.
As are Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen, while El Intransigente claim West Ham have now entered the race. Atletico and Real Madrid are interested, as well.
But, it seems, Shakhtar are not, as their sporting director Srna has ruled out pursuing a January transfer for Alvarez.
He insists the Miners are well stocked for attacking options in Fernando, Danylo Sikan and Lassina Traore. They have scored seven, two and nine goals so far this season respectively.
“With a Fernando like this, we don’t need a striker,” Srna said, via quotes by Calciomercato.
“And then there are Sikan and Traore, who will be operated on and will return early next season. Alvarez will not go to Shakhtar.”
Srna hands Tottenham hope in transfer race for River Plate star Alvarez
Srna ruling Shakhtar Donetsk out of a transfer for Alvarez will offer Tottenham hope of signing the River Plate star.
Spurs still have a raft of potential rival suitors to fend off, however, and ESPN Argentina note Juventus are River Plate’s ‘real’ threat for retaining Alvarez’s services at present.
The Bianconeri have scouted the striker recently and had staff attend Monday’s win over Platense. Informal talks between the Serie A side and Alvarez’s agent are also underway.
Juventus are likely to submit an opening bid of €15m (£12.5m) plus €10m (£8.5m) in add-ons soon, too. But River Plate want Alvarez’s €25m (£21m) release clause paid in full.
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