Arsenal could miss out on Argentinean star Ricky Alvarez, as reports in Italy suggest that the 23-year-old is just a step away from signing for the Serie A outfit.
While Arsene Wenger is still trying to conclude a deal for Gervinho, sources in Italy claim that new Roma boss Luis Enrique is readying a move for the Argentine wonderboy.
Alvarez has publicly revealed his intentions to play in Europe following last season’s success with current club Velez Sarsfield, and the Giallorossi have wasted no time in preparing an offer to land the attacking midfielder this summer.
Alvarez was quoted in the Metro saying:
‘I know I’m being followed by some major European clubs, and I hear the rumours about me, but I just try to stay calm and down to earth.’
‘For me it would be an important leap to arrive in Europe, and it is what I aspire to do.’
‘I am ready to play in Europe, I’m the right age to make this leap and I’m waiting for this opportunity.’
Alvarez’s agent recently declared that his client ‘would be proud to wear the Roma shirt’, but the Italian side, and Arsenal for that matter – if they are still interested of course,, will have to fork out £12 million for the highly rated winger, who reportedly still has three years left on his current Velez deal.
To be honest with you guys, I was under the impression that we actually signed Alvarez on a pre-contract agreement like a month back, so when I read these reports, I was a little bamboozled. But after having asked a few of my Twitter followers, it became clear that we haven’t actually arranged anything with the player or club (thanks for the info guys).
Now in my opinion, I can’t see Wenger spending that amount on Alvarez, not this summer anyway, purely for the fact that the Frenchman has other business to attend to first. By the time Wenger sorts out the Gervinho deal (which looks to be concluding soon enough), the expected transfer of one of Chris Samba or Gary Cahill, and several others on his list, Alvarez could already be a Roma player.
It would be a real shame to lose out on such a talented player, especially to Roma, but perhaps Wenger feels the price-tag placed on Alvarez’s head is unjustified, if so, then so be it – it wouldn’t be the first time that I’ve seen Wenger lose out on a highly rated player to another club.
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What a whining baby you are………he’s too expensive and a complete unknown in Europe….Seria A might be ok for him but the EPL is another. Wenger knows what he wants so go cry in a corner about all the ¨missed¨ opportunities AW has had…..who cares!
tell that to cesc, nasri, rvp and the fans, – – then run.
@Domhuaille MacMathghamhna, I clearly stated – ‘perhaps Wenger feels the price-tag placed on Alvarez’s head is unjustified, if so, then so be it’
I also wrote – ‘Now in my opinion, I can’t see Wenger spending that amount on Alvarez, not this summer anyway, purely for the fact that the Frenchman has other business to attend to first.’
Please read the article properly before commenting, I’m not whining at all, if Wenger doesn’t want to buy him then fine, but how many times has he missed out on players who have now developed into class players – Essien, Cech, C. Ronaldo etc.
I’m just saying it would be ashamed to lose out on another potential star that’s all
He seems talented but until the report broke about us being interested in him about 0.1% of the Arsenal fanbase knew who he was.
I consider Gervinho and a defender more important than him and if we’re going to have to spend £12m on him rather than nab him on a free it’s a huge gamble for someone with no European football experience.
To be honest, as long as we keep Nasri & Fabregas, signing him is not a priority.
well luiz enrique can have him for all we care .. we will not pay that amount of money for him period … lets no waste time delibrating on a signing thats not imminent or important ..whenever velez sarfield is ready to do business ..they know who to dial up
highly rated? source? did you know who he was 3 months ago? lol
The record of South American flair players in the EPL is terrible. This guys might do well but it represents too much of a gamble when we already have a few flair-type guys around. I’d rather take Gervinho who has some European experience and represents what we need (pace, versatility, competition for places). Ricky looks good but what if he was the next Arial Ortega?
I think we don´t need a defender, we NEED TWO DEFENDERS. I can´t think that we didn´t win any championship last season only because we didn´t have Samba or Cahill in our team, we have bigger problems in defense and that includes a goalkeeper, Szczesny is a good GK but he´s not mature enough to be N° 1 in Arsenal.
I think we don´t need a defender, we NEED TWO DEFENDERS. I can´t think that we didn´t win any championship last season only because we didn´t have Samba or Cahill in our team, we have bigger problems in defense and that includes a goalkeeper, Szczesny is a good GK but he´s not mature enough to be N° 1 in our team.
Besides how many attacking midfielders do we need? Gervinho, Willian from shaktar for denilson, menez from roma for clichy? And this does not count oxlade chamberlain.
To be honest, if I was going to spend that kind of money on an unproven youngster. It was have to be thiago alacantara….
The boy has simply been sensational in the Spain under 21 sides and only looks to get better. Chris samba and gervinho will provide us with some stability in certain positions.
We still would need a striker who can pair with rvp and I think that person if he is good enough could be carlos vela or even Theo Walcott, not using them as wingers but as actual strikers…
Finally a defensive midfielder, the best I can think of is felipe melo. Instrumental for brazil in the world cup and would be a great addition to the squad
My team would be:
Sczezny – GK
Sagna – RB
Vermaelen – CB
Samba – CB
Gibbs – LB
Melo – DMF
Wilshere – CM
Fabregas – CM
Nasri – CAM
Van Persie – ST
Walcott – ST
Subs:
Fabianski
Djourou
Koscielny
Rosicky
Song
Arshavin
Vela