Newcastle United have reportedly lodged a £25 million offer to sign 24-year-old Mexican midfielder Edson Alvarez from Dutch giants Ajax.
According to i News, Newcastle United have submitted a bid worth £25 million for Ajax’s 24-year-old midfield enforcer Edson Alvarez but are likely to face rejection with their first approach.
Newcastle United have been relatively modest in the transfer market this summer, capturing the services of Sven Botman and Nick Pope, while signing Matt Targett on a permanent deal from Aston Villa following his successful loan spell last term. But Eddie Howe remains eager to bolster his options up the pitch.
The Magpies are primarily focusing on strikers and wingers but may also be in the market for another midfielder, going by their links with Ajax’s Edson Alvarez. Bruno Guimaraes has been sensational for Newcastle United since his arrival from Lyon back in January and can operate in a host of midfield positions, including the anchor role.
However, there is a theory that if Newcastle United can acquire a true holding midfielder, Guimaraes will have more flexibility to make an impact in more advanced areas as their primary creator and supplier for the strikers. Signing a defensive midfielder would also provide the Magpies with negotiating leverage if Real Madrid return with interest in Guimaraes next summer after facing defeat this year.
As a result, their interest in Alvarez makes sense, with Howe said to be a big admirer of the Mexican international. The 24-year-old joined Ajax back in 2019 from Liga MX side CF America and has rapidly grown into his role at the club. Ajax sold Frenkie de Jong to Barcelona in the same year and Alvarez’s stellar form ever since has helped the club with a seamless transition.
Ajax stormed to a record 36th Eredivisie title in 2021/22, and Alvarez played an important role as a strong and combative defensive midfielder alongside the more progressive Ryan Gravenberch. To date, he has made 106 appearances across all competitions for the Dutch giants, chipping in with nine goals and four assists along the way.
A physical presence, a hard runner, and an accurate passer, the 24-year-old is adept at intercepting passing lanes and ensuring his side never gets caught in counter-attacking situations. Alvarez ticks all the boxes that Newcastle are looking for and would indeed be an exciting acquisition. And they have already submitted an offer worth £25 million to Ajax.
Ajax have lost a number of key players in this window, with as many as eleven first-team players leaving the club. Arguably, their most notable departure was Lisandro Martinez, who joined Manchester United in a £56.7 million deal.
The Red Devils are looking to raid the club again to get their hands on Antony, which could put a spanner in the works in Newcastle United’s pursuit of Alvarez, with their £25 million bid likely to be rejected by the Dutch champions. It will be interesting to see whether Newcastle will be able to bring Ajax to the table to discuss Alvarez’s sale or if they look elsewhere.
