Newcastle United have been keeping an eye on Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez, according to CBS journalist Ben Jacobs.
Writing for his weekly column in Fabrizio Romano’s Daily Briefing on CaughtOffside’s Substack, the reporter spoke about the extensive Premier League interest in the 25-year-old – which included the Toon.
“Arsenal considered Alvarez in January to a degree, but it became quickly clear Ajax didn’t want to do mid-season business,” Jacobs wrote.
“Liverpool have looked at Alvarez before and chose not to proceed and Newcastle are another club to have him at least loosely on their radar.”
According to a report from The Athletic last month, the Magpies have been tracking the Mexico international closely, but it was said that Eddie Howe preferred alternative options with Premier League experience.
Newcastle have Alvarez ‘on their radar’
Howe was keen to add a number six to his squad in January, but any further developments failed to come to fruition.
Instead, they only welcomed winger Anthony Gordon, from Everton, and Harrison Ashby, from West Ham, to St James’ Park.
However, with Jonjo Shelvey’s departure to Nottingham Forest, Newcastle are even lighter in the position now.
At the moment, the Magpies usually line-out with three of Bruno Guimaraes, Sean Longstaff, Joe Willock or Joelinton in the middle of the park.
Howe would ideally like to push Guimaraes further forward, using him as a number eight.
Therefore, it makes sense why the manager’s still trying to identify a defensive midfielder to bring in.
Chelsea bid £43m for Alvarez back in the summer, and with Newcastle also interested at the time, this could mean both sides could look to go back in for him at the end of the season.
This would be an excellent signing for Howe, given the 25-year-old has already made 61 appearances at international level.
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