Aston Villa strike target makes telling demand over transfer release clause

Aston Villa target Julian Alvarez is open to signing a new deal with River Plate, but he has made it clear he does not want to see his release clause raised, according to a report.

Villa have been linked regularly with the 21-year-old striker in recent months. The chances though of Dean Smith getting his hands on the 10-goal attacker seemed to have slipped last week. DMZ (via Sport Witness) claimed the forward had made a big career decision. And that he intended to sign a new deal with River Plate which would protect his transfer value.

Now though, with a new contract in the offing, the question in the Argentinian media is not if the player will leave in 2022. But for how much he will leave for.

That will come as good news to Smith, who is looking to add some firepower to his squad.

Alvarez is currently negotiating terms over a new deal with his existing contract expiring in December 2022.

And El Intransigente, via Sport Witness report that River Plate have put an offer on the table to try and convince Alvarez to sign for a further two years. Per the report, the club have “accelerated” their stance recently in a bid to get the player’s signature.

The new deal includes a “significant salary increase”. But more importantly, from Villa’s perspective, a request has been made regarding the release clause.

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10-day transfer window clause

The player and his agent have requested not to raise his current £18.2m ($25m) release clause. And the club are believed to be happy to go along with that, although they have insisted on one amendment.

River Plate have stated that the buyout can remain except for in the last 10 business days of every transfer window. Then the price will be raised to £21.8m ($30m).

The outlet suggest that Alvarez is very close to signing off on the deal. The club’s fanatical fans however are not so keen.

They wanted a raise in the player’s release clause to protect him from any imminent move.

Bayer Leverkusen, Milan, Ajax Real Madrid and Villa are all namechecked in the report as interested parties.

READ MORE: Newcastle set January sights on Aston Villa star lacking Dean Smith’s faith