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‘No contact’ from Juventus for River Plate’s Julian Álvarez

By James Cormack

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - NOVEMBER 25: Julian Alvarez of River Plate during a soccer match between River Plate and Racing Club, valid for the Professional League Cup at the Antonio Vespucio Liberti stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina on November 25, 2021. (Photo by Manuel Cortina/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - NOVEMBER 25: Julian Alvarez of River Plate during a soccer match between River Plate and Racing Club, valid for the Professional League Cup at the Antonio Vespucio Liberti stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina on November 25, 2021. (Photo by Manuel Cortina/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /
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River Plate president Rodolfo D’Onofrio has said that “no contact” has been made with Juventus over the potential signing of Julian Álvarez.

The 21-year-old striker has made his mark in Argentina this season, scoring 17 times in 19 league appearances to help River to the title. Alvarez has also been capped five times by the national team, with reports suggesting he could earn a move to one of Europe’s elite soon.

It’s understood that the versatile forward is keen to leave the club and Juventus have been touted as Álvarez’s next destination. The Bianconeri will be in the market for a forward next year with Alvaro Morata’s future uncertain. However, their priority target is supposedly Fiorentina hitman Dusan Vlahovic.

Alvarez’s contract situation at River Plate

The Argentine’s current deal at River expires at the end of 2022, with the club desperate for him to sign an extension. It’s been said that the player will only agree to an extension if he’s guaranteed a move to Europe in the near future.

Thus, Álvarez wants a €20m buy-out clause inserted into any potential new contract.

‘No contact’ from Juventus amid stiff competition

Julian Alvarez’s goals helped River Plate to the league title in Argentina. (Photo by Manuel Cortina/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Julian Alvarez’s goals helped River Plate to the league title in Argentina. (Photo by Manuel Cortina/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /

Álvarez’s tremendous form has caught the eyes of many European clubs and should Juventus opt to pursue the Argentine, they’ll have to fight off several competitors for his signature.

Tuttosport (via SempreInter) claim that Juve, along with both Milan clubs as well as Real and Atletico Madrid are all keen on landing the 21-year-old in the future.

As it stands, though, the Bianconeri are yet to make an offer for the forward. “I can confirm that there has been no contact with Juventus,” said River president Rodolfo D’Onofrio.

“There are no offers from the Bianconeri for Julian Álvarez.”

Juventus took a dip in the South American market in the summer when they signed teenage striker Kaio Jorge from Santos. Álvarez is a much more proven commodity than the Brazilian, with former Juventus goalscorer Gonzalo Higuain particularly complimentary about the 21-year-old Argentine.

Speaking to ESPN, Higuain said: “He’s the best number nine [in Argentina] and I’d like to see him in Europe.

“In terms of his movement, his two-footedness, his desire to grow and win, he reminds me of myself,” he added. “He is given the freedom to be very versatile in attack, and he can be unstoppable.”

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