Newcastle United could look to bring Edson Alvarez to the club, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

According to The Athletic, the Magpies’ director of recruitment Steve Nickson is keeping an eye on the Ajax midfielder. However, they may face competition should they look to pursue a deal in January, given that Chelsea made a €50m (£43m) bid late in the summer transfer window.

Alvarez to Newcastle talked up

Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has previously said that Eddie Howe will be looking to add a ‘real class midfielder’ next summer, and now Jones believes that Alvarez is a name for Newcastle fans to keep an eye upon.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “They do continue to look for somebody that’d be a good fit for this team, and I think Edson Alvarez could be a good one. His football IQ would probably fit with what Eddie Howe wants. It’s probably one to look out for.”

Combative midfielder to fill Shelvey void

Alvarez, who will turn 25 in October, moved to Amsterdam in 2019 from Mexican side Club America and has become a ‘leader’ on the field according to his manager Alfred Schreuder (TNT Sports, via American Chronicles).

He could be a terrific option for the Magpies given that Jonjo Shelvey’s injury-enforced absence has left a vacancy in the midfield engine room at St James’ Park. Bruno Guimaraes’ ability to roam forward has been restricted as he is played in a much deeper role, but Alvarez could allow the Brazilian to flourish.

Described as a ‘monster’ by The Athletic writer Felipe Cardenas in 2021, the 58-cap Mexico ace ranks in the top 1% among Europe among central midfielders for clearances per 90. According to FBref, he also places in the top 3% of his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues for aerial duels won per game (3.58).

Alvarez appears to have the resources necessary to build a reliable platform at St James’ Park, but so far it is unclear whether the Toon will act upon their apparent interest.