Manchester United ‘ready to pay £17m release clause’ for South American Player of the Year

Manchester United are reportedly prepared to meet the €20 million (£17 million) release clause to sign Argentinian international striker Julián Álvarez from River Plate.

The highly rated forward has attracted interest from several other European heavyweights including Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Barcelona.

However, reports coming out of Spain suggest that Old Trafford is the most likely destination for the 21-year old who could make the move to United this month.

Here is everything you need to know about Julián Álvarez and what is being reported:

Who is Julián Álvarez?

Julián Álvarez is a striker who plays for Argentine Primera División champions River Plate. The forward has spent his entire career with Los Millonarios, making his senior debut in 2018.

2021 was a breakout year for Álvarez who has chalked up an impressive 22 goals in 45 games across all competitions for his club.

Of those goals, 20 came in his 30 Argentine Primera División appearances, making him the season’s top scorer.

At international level, the striker has already won five caps for the Argentina having previously played with the Under-20 and Under-23 sides.

He made his debut for Argentina in June in a World Cup qualifier against Chile where he came off the bench to replace former Manchester United player Ángel Di María.

Álvarez already has an impressive medal haul despite his young age and lifted the Argentine Primera División title with River Plate last season as well as the Copa América with Argentina.

He won the 2021 South American Footballer of the Year, a prestigious award that has previously went to players such as Neymar, Juan Sebastián Verón, Carlos Tevez and Ronaldinho.

Last week the forward appeared in the Guardian’s annual “100 best footballers in the world” list, where he was placed at 91.

What has been reported about Julián Álvarez signing for Manchester United?

Spanish site Sport.en have reported the news that United are willing to pay the €20 million release clause in Julián Álvarez’s contract to sign him this month.

The report claims that Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan have all also shown interest in the youngster, but United are the most likely destination and the player’s agent is travelling to England this week to discuss a deal.

Alvarez is being touted as a potential replacement for Anthony Martial with both players potentially leaving Old Trafford this month.

United interim boss Ralf Rangnick confirmed they would be open to allowing Martial to leave but only if the deal was right for the club and reportedly turned down a loan offer from Sevilla earlier this week.