Tottenham Hotspur fans have every right to dream about signing world-class players. But the latest report linking Spurs with a January move for Julian Alvarez is one that can safely be filed under “ignore this one.”
Spanish outlet El Nacional claims Tottenham are preparing a €130 million (£113m) offer for the Atletico Madrid striker, with the proposed deal even including a release clause that would allow Alvarez to join Barcelona in the future.
The story has subsequently been picked up elsewhere, but there is no official indication that Tottenham are preparing such a bid.
And, more importantly, there is a very obvious reason why Alvarez would have little incentive to swap Atletico for Tottenham right now.
Why would Alvarez choose Spurs?
Alvarez is 26, a World Cup winner and a Champions League winner. He has already experienced life at Manchester City and Atletico Madrid and is playing at the highest level of European football.
Tottenham simply cannot offer him the same platform at present.
Spurs are not playing in the Champions League this season, while Atletico are. That matters enormously for a player of Alvarez’s standing, particularly with another World Cup on the horizon and his long-term ambition presumably being to compete for the biggest prizes in club football.
There is also the rather bizarre Barcelona element to the report. Why would Tottenham spend a club-record £113m on a player and then effectively give him a route out to Barcelona?
It would make little sense from a Spurs perspective, particularly if the intention is to build a team capable of challenging Europe’s best.
The rumour is doing the rounds — but that doesn’t make it credible
That does not mean Tottenham should never try to sign Alvarez. If Spurs return to the Champions League, establish themselves among England’s leading clubs and demonstrate that they can compete for major honours, the conversation changes.
Right now, though, this looks like a classic transfer rumour that has grown legs because the name involved is so attractive.
Atletico have also made their position on Alvarez clear. The Spanish club have publicly stated that they will not negotiate with Barcelona over the forward, while the player remains under contract in Madrid until 2030. Atletico also reportedly rejected an offer from Real Madrid earlier this year.
That is the level of competition Tottenham would be facing for Alvarez — and it is another reason to be sceptical about a January move.
Spurs fans should enjoy the dream — and then move on
Transfer rumours are part of football and there is nothing wrong with imagining Alvarez leading the line at Tottenham. But supporters should not mistake a speculative report for evidence of a genuine transfer pursuit.
Until there is something considerably more credible behind this story, Spurs fans should enjoy the headline, have a laugh at the £113m figure — and move on.
