Aston Villa: Orlando City have bid turned down for Villa target Julian Alvarez | OneFootball

An update has emerged on reported Aston Villa transfer target Julian Alvarez regarding interest from MLS club Orlando City.

What’s the talk?

According to Hernan Castillo in TNT Sports Argentina, via Birmingham Live, the Florida outfit have had an offer of £7m ($10m) turned down for the 21-year-old.

Birmingham Live claimed that the winger is a player Villa have been tracking as Dean Smith eyes additions to his squad this summer.

Is Alvarez better than Trezeguet?

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Better than Trezeguet

Aston Villa chief Johan Lange must sanction a deal to sign Alvarez from River Plate this summer as the Argentine could improve the depth of Smith’s attacking options. Having multiple players in each position who are good enough to come in and compete week in, week out is vital, as it provides healthy competition for places which drives players on to push themselves in training in order to keep their places in the team.

One area in which Villa lack depth is out wide following the injury to Trezeguet earlier this year. The forward suffered a serious knee injury which could keep him out for a number of months, and Alvarez could come in to take his spot in the squad.

In 21 Premier League appearances last term, the Egyptian managed two goals and one assist for the club. This suggests that he was not making a major impact prior to his injury and that a potential signing could prove to be an upgrade.

Alvarez could be that player given his form for River Plate. He has produced four goals and seven assists in 26 games for the Argentine club in 2021, having scored nine goals and set up six the previous year. His goals and assists could potentially eclipse what Trezeguet was doing for Villa last season, making his prospective arrival an improvement on Smith’s squad.

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Alvarez’s manager Marcelo Gallardo once gave him huge praise by saying that the 21-year-old is someone who “every coach would love to have.”

This quote from Gallardo suggests that the winger is eager to learn and develop by working with his manager, which Smith would love as it would allow him to help the attacker fulfill his potential. At the age of 21, Alvarez has almost his entire career ahead of him, and the former Brentford boss could aid his growth by coaching him in training. This is another reason why Villa must secure his services.

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