Who is Julian Alvarez? The Argentine hotshot wanted by Europe's elite

The familiar route for high-profile young Argentine players impressing in their homeland is to make the switch to MLS. Ezequiel Barco shone for Independiente up to his move to Atlanta United in 2018, while Thiago Almada, a player previously linked with a Premier League transfer, is set to follow his compatriot to America. 

However, Julian Alvarez is unlikely to tread the same path. The River Plate hitman has been on the radar for a host of Europe's elite sides in recent months and with each passing week, the list of potential suitors grows. Given there is a break in Liga Profesional action, Alvarez hasn't had the chance to add to his 15 league goals this season, a return that has helped boost his reputation. 

Indeed, Alvarez has scored at least four more goals than any other player in Argentina's top division, which is all the more impressive when you consider he scored just once in his opening six league outings. Yet, as his four-goal haul against Patronato de Parana last weekend suggests, he is very much making up for lost time. 

It did, though, take until River Plate's Copa Libertadores exit for Alvarez to hit his stride this season. 14 of his 15 league goals have come after they were able to focus solely on domestic duties and the Buenos Aires giants have been superb in the weeks following, with Alvarez crucial. 

A WhoScored rating of 7.84 is far and away the best in Liga Profesional, while the 21-year-old is the only player to have earned a perfect 10 WhoScored rating in a league game this season, doing so in wins over Newell's Old Boys, San Lorenzo and, most recently, Patronato de Parana. 

Interest in his services from the biggest teams this side of the Atlantic should come as little shock with those monitoring Alvarez likely to be aware that his current contract expires next December, and that is likely to soften River's stance on the youngster. Of the 120 players to muster 15 or more shots, Alvarez's conversion rate of 28.3% is the fifth best in Liga Profesional. Considering only Martin Ojeda (68) and Walter Bou (54) have managed more shots than Alvarez (53) this season, the pair boasting far worse conversion rates by comparison, the latter is certainly deserving of a WhoScored strength of 'finishing'. 

There is also a willingness to drop deep in search of possession and when he is found by a teammate, Alvarez is difficult to stop. 32 successful dribbles ranks 26th in Liga Profesional this season, but in terms of success, the River Plate star boasts a dribble success rate of 71.1% this season, that ranking 10th of the 133 players to have attempted 25 or more dribbles. 

The youngster has been dispossessed a total of just 21 times in 2021, an impressive return for a player who operates so high up the pitch, yet one who is willing to drop back in search of possession and that means he has two banks of players to beat rather than just the one. In addition, there is a commendable end product to Alvarez's game that adds to his appeal, noted in that 25 key passes is the 19th highest return in the division, and that has translated to five assists; no player has more in Liga Profesional. 

Given his approach, it means Alvarez rarely hangs on the shoulder of the last defender, so much is his desire to get on the ball, yet when he does maximise his pace to get in behind the defence, the young forward boasts the mental capacity to time his run to perfection. Alvarez has been flagged offside just eight times in his 16 league outings this term, and more than once just the one time, that coming in a superb display against Argentinos Junior where the River Plate star scored one and assisted another. 

Whether Alvarez is ready to make the jump from Argentinian football to Europe, it remains to be seen, but sides will be aware that they need to make a move for the forward now or run the risk of missing out on one of the hottest prospects in South America. Aston Villa were the favourites for Alvarez over the summer, yet the Villans are unlikely to be fronting the queue now given the raft of clubs now monitoring the River Plate hotshot. Indeed, the likes of AC Milan, Juventus and Fiorentina, the latter potentially looking to Alvarez as a replacement for in-demand Dusan Vlahovic, have all supposedly joined the race to sign the striker.

And with a lowly €25m release clause, too, Alvarez could prove to be a bargain buy for any number of teams, particularly if he can transfer his Liga Profesional form to one of Europe's top leagues. That'll prove to be easier said than done, of course, but considering the low fee by modern market standards coupled with the versatility in the final third, and Alvarez will prove a man in demand in the New Year.