Keith Downie has been left purring over Newcastle United transfer target Edson Alvarez when speaking on the Loaded Mag YouTube channel.
Alvarez was said to be on Newcastle’s transfer shortlist over the summer with other Premier League rivals also said to be big admirers of the midfielder, but nothing came to fruition and the Mexico international has continued to feature heavily for Ajax.
While Newcastle may indeed like Alvarez, the fact his club Ajax lost Antony and Lisandro Martinez over the summer would suggest that they wouldn’t be keen on losing another key player in the same season.
Given Newcastle’s reported desire to sign a new midfielder Alvarez will very likely remain on the clubs’ transfer shortlist for the whole of January, although with a price tag said to be around £26.6 million, he could be a player that’s more likely to arrive in the summer.
Downie has admitted he’s been impressed with Alvarez having watched him play for Ajax when they took on Rangers in the Champions League earlier this season.
He said: “He’s a good player, Alvarez – I watched him when I was over in Amsterdam covering Rangers in the Champions League, what a player he is.
Could Newcastle sign Alvarez this month?
Yes!
No!
“He would be perfect for Newcastle, I honestly could see him with Bruno in front of him, [it] would be a phenomenal pairing, what a player he is. I think he’s on the list as well.”
TIF Thoughts on Edson Alvarez…
Over the year Alvarez ranks very highly compared to the players that operate in a similar role and position as him ranking very highly in the percentile when it comes to aerials won, clearances and passes attempted (FBref).
Therefore, it will be far from straightforward if Newcastle are wanting to sign Alvarez given those stats and his age profile as he could anchor the Magpies for many years to come alongside Bruno Guimaraes.
Newcastle aren’t said to be keen on big-money signings this transfer window, which makes sense given they did go very big over the summer, so they will have to sit and hope nobody snaps Alvarez up this month before they can potentially move in the summer.