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Player Analysis: What would Edson Álvarez bring to Borussia Dortmund?

By Brian Szlenk Straub

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - MAY 6: Edson Alvarez of Ajax chases the ball during the Eredivisie match between Ajax and AZ at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on May 6, 2023 in Amsterdam, Netherlands (Photo by Patrick Goosen/Orange Pictures/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - MAY 6: Edson Alvarez of Ajax chases the ball during the Eredivisie match between Ajax and AZ at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on May 6, 2023 in Amsterdam, Netherlands (Photo by Patrick Goosen/Orange Pictures/BSR Agency/Getty Images) /
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Edson Álvarez could bolster Borussia Dortmund's midfield ranks in the summer
Edson Álvarez could bolster Borussia Dortmund’s midfield ranks in the summer (Photo by Peter Lous/BSR Agency/Getty Images) /

What would Edson Àlvarez bring to BVB?

With this description in mind, one could say that Borussia Dortmund already have this exact type of player in the form of Emre Can, and to a large degree that assumption would be correct.

That being said however, the club will certainly be looking for quality depth. Can, while having played a very good second half of the season, will need to know that his starting position isn’t guaranteed. The internal competition will be helpful to make sure Borussia Dortmund maintain high levels of performance on the pitch.

In addition to the players already mentioned to be leaving, Salih Özcan, while not necessarily one of those candidates, has severely underperformed while at BVB to date and going forward Edin Terzić may wish to revamp the midfield in a manner which could see Özcan depart as well. Having Àlvarez come in would make Özcan surplus to requirements.

So far, Borussia Dortmund is the primary Bundesliga club to have shown concrete interest in Àlvarez. Bayern Munich were initially linked with the Mexican international but recent reports indicate that the Bavarian giants are no longer in the running for his services.

Borussia Dortmund will however face competition for his signature from Premier League sides. The prospective fee Ajax will be looking for has been said to be somewhere between 35 and 40 million euros, a steep price that BVB will likely try to negotiate down, especially considering that they will have a plethora of positions to address.

Taking an objective look at this transfer, Alvarez joining BVB would compliment the other rumored midfield signings quite well.

A prospective duo of Enzo Le Fée and Julian Brandt would be welcome to express themselves in a system where Edson Àlvarez screens the back-line the way he does for Ajax.

Next. Borussia Dortmund’s five recent transfer ‘What Ifs…?’. dark

At the age of 25, Àlvarez would also be a player entering his prime, which would be an atypical signing for Dortmund that, like Niklas Süle for example, could be a long term solution for them in the midfield. This would be beneficial to the squad should he both perform well and sign a long term contract with the club.