Earlier today, TNT Sports Argentina (@TNTSportsAR) tweeted that Orlando City SC have offered a huge $10 million for River Plate forward Julián Álvarez.
Part of the Argentina squad that won the 2021 Copa América, this huge transfer rumour has #OCTwitter encapsulated right now.
ORLANDO CITY OFRECE 1O MILLONES DE DÓLARES POR JULIÁN ALVAREZ ⚪🔴@HernanSCastillo con el 💣BOMBAZO💣 EN RIVER⚽
📌Incluye bonos por 2 millones más 💰
¿Vos lo venderías?🤔 pic.twitter.com/FzXwbloAOC
— TNT Sports Argentina (@TNTSportsAR) July 30, 2021
To put this rumoured offer in context, the last seven years have seen Orlando City SC spend just $10.11 (excluding allocation money trades) combined!
With journalist Hernán Castillo credited with the story, the tweet claims that Orlando City SC‘s offer includes bonuses of $2 million.
For rumour authenticity, TNT Sports Argentina (@TNTSportsAR) has 545.2k followers on Twitter.
Still very early days for this transfer rumour, it’s important we don’t get too carried away.
Nevertheless, Julián Álvarez is certainly an outstanding young talent with so much potential.
With Julián Álvarez currently the name on everybody’s lips, Orlando City UK found out a little more about the player.
Who is Julián Álvarez?
Julián Álvarez is a 21-year-old right or left winger. He currently plays for Buenos Aires giants River Plate.
He can also play as a centre forward too.
It’s been a huge year for Álvarez after he broke into the senior Argentina squad, since earning two caps for La Albiceleste.
He made his debut as a substitute back on June 3 in a World Cup Qualifier against Chile.
Replacing a national icon in Ángel Di María in the 62nd minute, he also just enjoyed 2021 Copa América success too.
Part of Lionel Scaloni’s 28-man squad that won Argentina’s 15th title, Álvarez’s inclusion was reward for his domestic exploits.
According to this July 22 article from the Birmingham Mail, Julián Álvarez just tallied 11 goals in 20 appearances across Copa Libertadores and Copa de la Liga play.
Álvarez has also been heavily linked with Premier League side Aston Villa this summer.
The same article states that Fernando Hidalgo, Julián Álvarez’s agent, has already flown to Europe to hold talks with interested parties.
But could a Major League Soccer switch materialise instead?
Elsewhere, despite his young age, Julián Álvarez already holds several domestic titles to his name.
These include the Copa Libertadores (2018), Copa Argentina (2018/19), Recopa Sudamericana (2019), and the Supercopa Argentina (2019).
According to Transfermarkt, Julián Álvarez is right footed and stands at just 5 ft 7 in.
Wearing the sought-after number 9 jersey at River Plate, it’s clear that Álvarez is an up-and-coming talent destined for big things.
Do Orlando City SC need Julián Álvarez?
Firstly, we need further corroboration of this transfer story from alternative sources.
But if true, you’d imagine a lot hinges on the movements of Chris Mueller, especially roster-wise.
Not to mention Daryl Dike, a player we know is destined for a multi-million dollar transfer away from Exploria Stadium at some point.
Earlier this month, Hibernian confirmed that Mueller had signed a pre-contract agreement to join them on January 1, 2022.
On July 26, the Daily Record reported that Hibs are keen on pursuing Mueller’s early arrival, effectively cutting his 2021 MLS campaign short.
Right now, Orlando City SC maintain that Chris Mueller is their player.
With Julián Álvarez playing the same positions as Chris Mueller, are the two transfer stories interconnected?
We’ll have to wait and find out, but if Orlando City SC‘s Álvarez offer is true, it’d be a massive statement of intent.
Especially considering the Wilf Family have recently taken over the club.
Does a move for Álvarez represent the Wilf’s flexing their financial muscle, or is it all just pure speculation?
One thing is for sure. Right now, there’s one unfilled Designated Player slot on Oscar Pareja‘s roster.
For Julián Álvarez to fill it, you’d imagine it’s going to take a lot more bargaining, and a lot more effort to fend off rival suitors.