PSG have recruited a World Cup winner to bolster their attacking options with a big blow to Barcelona
Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly keen to bolster their already formidable frontline with another world-class talent.
Spanish daily AS are suggesting this morning that Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez is a major target for the European champions this summer.
PSG manager Luis Enrique is a well-known Argentine World Cup winner and tried to bring him to the Parc des Princes two years ago but Alvarez opted to join Atletico from Manchester City for £82million instead.
Alvarez continued to shine at the Metropolitano. He scored 29 goals in 57 games in his first year in Spain and added 20 in 49 games this season despite a wobbly end to the year.
The 26-year-old has long been linked with Barcelona, as they look to replace the aging Robert Lewandowski, and Arsenal are believed to be monitoring the player’s situation.
Atletico are believed to be willing to sell but for a fee north of £100m.
PSG target Alvarez insists he is happy at Atletico
Alvarez has repeatedly denied he wants out and recently described reports he was set for Barca this summer as a “snowball of lies”.
Speaking before the first leg of Atleti’s Champions League semi-final against Arsenal, he said: “I try not to give too much importance to what they say, because the truth is that every week new things come out, all kinds of new information.
“I try not to waste energy on that and focus on what we are doing here at Atleti. I try not to give too much importance to what is said in the media, because it often starts to turn into lies. I can’t keep clarifying or denying everything that comes out all the time.”
No house search in Barcelona for Alvarez
Federico Hidalgo, Alvarez’s agent, was also forced to dismiss allegations that Alvarez’s family was spending time in Catalonia appraising houses.
“No one in the family has ever been to Barcelona. The last time was for a game against Atlético, and they returned to Madrid the next day,” he said.
PSG certainly don’t need dramatic reinforcements with the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola, Goncalo Ramos and Ibrahim Mbaye all on the books.
But Dembele’s injury problems remain a concern while Ramos is likely to move on this summer.
ANAYLSIS: Alvarez could be another fantastic option for PSG
It is scary to think that Alvarez ranks alongside the likes of Dembele, Doue and Kvaratskhelia. He is of the same type, quick, smart and hard working, the latter a must in any Luis Enrique team.
The difference between him and the others, however, is that Alvarez is a natural, goal-scoring striker, while Dembele, Doue and Kvaratskhelia are top players who operate in wide areas but inevitably score goals due to PSG’s size more than most teams at home and in the Champions League.
If PSG could get this one over the line, they could improve an already top team in Europe by some distance.
