Orlando City is not sitting around and waiting for a European club to buy Daryl Dike, the Lions are rumored to be going to South America to buy Dike’s replacement or partner up front. Orlando City is said to be ready to offer as much as $10 million for a current River Plate of Argentina forward that also was on Argentina’s Copa America winning side.
Orlando City sit third in the Eastern conference and hope through this purchase to finally not only climb the standings but make a serious run at the MLS Cup come playoff season. According to reports from TyC Sports and La Pagina Millionaria the Lions have tabled an offer for 21-year-old River Plate striker Julián Álvarez.
Julián Álvarez, 21, would automatically count as a young DP and has grown under the guidance of River Plate manager Marcelo Gallardo. To top it off the young striker has earned two caps with Argentina and was a part of the 2021 Copa America winning squad.
Julián Álvarez to Orlando City?
Julián Álvarez of River Plate (Getty)
According to reports out of Argentina, Julián Álvarez’s agent Fernando Hidalgo informed River Plate of an offer that was sent to the club by the MLS side that was a direct transfer fee of $10 million plus bonuses.
“I had no contact with Orlando City. The first proposal was sent directly to River and no one responded. Later, they sent me a superior offer, of 10 million dollars, and I forwarded it to the club’s lawyer (Gonzalo Mayo) “ said Hidalgo.
Hidalgo also stated that MLS teams have made offers for Julián Álvarez before, but the player has a desire to move to Europe. Álvarez has made his fame as a power forward with good hold up play, much like Dike, in 38 matches he has scored 5 goals for Los Millonarios.
Álvarez has won 4 titles with River Plate and was selected by Argentina to represent the national team in the Copa America. Álvarez has a buyout clause of $25 million dollars, but River Plate may okay the transfer due to the economic situation of the club.
