Manchester United are keen to arrange a meeting with the representatives of Julian Alvarez as the club weigh up a move for the River Plate forward.
River Plate are reluctant to lose a player who is attracting significant interest from European clubs, but will be powerless to prevent the 21-year-old from leaving should any side activate a £17m a release clause in his current contract, though that figure will rise to £21m in the final 10 days of the upcoming January transfer window.
TyC Sports are reporting that United will look to hold talks with the player in the new year as the Red Devils bid to beat off strong competition to his signature, with the likes of Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and AC Milan also amongst the clubs credited with an interest in his services.
Manchester United are set to hand interim manager Ralf Rangnick funds to spend in January, with a defensive midfielder also understood to be on the club’s agenda for the winter window.
Alvarez enjoyed an outstanding season in Argentina last term, scoring 18 goals in 21 league appearances as River Plate finished top of the Primera Division.
His arrival could act as a replacement for Anthony Martial, who has informed the club of his desire to leave in search of regular first-team football, with Sevilla hopeful of a loan deal for the France international.
River Plate are reportedly hopeful that Alvarez – who is contracted until December 2022 – will remain at the club, however, with the prospect of regular first-team football providing an improved chance of a place in the Argentina squad for next year’s World Cup in Qatar.
