Newcastle could return with a summer bid for Ajax star Edson Alvarez

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The Athletic have released an extensive report on Newcastle United’s summer transfer plans and one name that is still on the list is Mexican defensive midfielder Edson Alvarez.

The 25-year-old has been linked with a move to Newcastle for a while due to Eddie Howe being a ‘big admirer‘ of the midfield enforcer. According to The Athletic Alvarez would be an alternative to a move for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo.

Newcastle will have to box clever in the summer in order to bring in the right players at the right price. It’s not just about strengthening the squad, but vastly improving it. One of the key things will be building a team that is worthy of playing alongside the likes of Bruno Guimaraes.

Alvarez could be the key to unlocking Bruno Guimaraes

With the Brazilian being courted by Real Madrid and Chelsea, Newcastle know they will have to strive to match his ambition and talent in order to keep him on Tyneside. His love for the club and the fans will only keep him here for so long, but if we’re not competing, or at least showing the intent, he could start to get itchy feet.

Bringing in Edson Alvarez would not only show that ambition by Newcastle, but with the 61-times-capped Mexico international would play that holding role which would allow Bruno more freedom to get forward and support the Newcastle attack.

Chelsea – the midfielder hoarders – are also interested in Alvarez

The Magpies will face competition from other Premier League clubs with Chelsea having previously tested Ajax‘ resolve with a £43million bid in the summer, but the Dutch club had already lost too many players in that window and weren’t interested in losing another star player.

A report from Dutch outlet Telegraaf claimed that Alvarez had even skipped training at Ajax in order to force a move to Chelsea in the summer.

Alvarez is under contract at Ajax until 2025 so there will be no urgency to sell which could make it difficult for any club to prise the player Erik ten Hag called ‘fantastic‘ away from the Eredivisie champions, even if the player does wish to move to the Premier League.