Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe is reportedly keeping tabs on Ajax midfielder, Edson Alvarez, ahead of the summer transfer window.
What’s the word?
According to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs – in his CaughtOffside daily briefing – the Mexico international is a player whom the Magpies have “loosely on their radar”, albeit with Premier League rivals Arsenal also said to be in the mix for the 25-year-old’s signature.
This follows a report from The Athletic last month that named the 61-cap ace as one of Howe’s possible midfield targets for January, with the Tynesiders seemingly intent on securing a new ‘number six’.
It does appear that the former Club America star – who has just over two years left on his current deal in Amsterdam – has been something of a long-term target for the St James’ Park outfit, having reportedly made an enquiry about his availability over the summer.
Newcastle’s own Enzo Fernandez
It is hard to deny that the northeast side are in need of another addition in the centre of the park in the near future, with the recent departure of Jonjo Shelvey to Nottingham Forest having left the club rather short on options in that department.
The signing of Alvarez would more than just plug a hole, however, with the “tenacious” gem – as lauded by talent scout Jacek Kulig – having illustrated his quality in the Eredivisie of late, averaging an impressive 2.4 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per game from his 18 league outings this season.
That standout form – which has also seen the 6 foot 2 brute create four big chances thus far – has ensured that the highly-coveted midfielder boasts an average match rating of 7.24, as per Sofascore, this term, with that figure only bettered by Kieran Trippier and Fabian Schar among Howe’s current squad.
A player who also provides the benefit of his Champions League and international experience, the “ball-playing” menace, as described by Kulig, would also prove an appealing prospect due to his versatility, as he can comfortably slot in at centre-back if required.
It may also prove noteworthy to those on Tyneside that the towering asset is said to share a number of stylistic and statistical similarities with Chelsea’s new £107m man, Enzo Fernandez, according to FBref, with that an indication of the potential diamond that Newcastle could have on their hands.
That likeness is indicated by the fact that the Stamford Bridge starlet ranks in the top 19% among his peers in the ‘Men’s next eight competitions’ for tackles made, while Alvarez ranks in the top 16% in that regard as evidence of his ball-winning prowess.
The duo are also capable of impacting play in an attacking sense from their deep-lying roles, with the Ajax man ranking in the top 14% for progressive passes made, while the Argentina international ranks in the top 1% for that same metric.
The latter man is currently creating a real buzz as a result of his high-profile switch to west London, having only recently announced himself on the global stage after claiming the Best Young Player award at the World Cup in Qatar.
To be able to have their own version of the former Benfica man in the form of Alvarez could well represent a real coup for Howe and co, although the hope will be that they won’t have to splash the cash to the same extent as the free-spending Blues.