Barcelona to rival Chelsea for Ajax's Edson Alvarez?

Barcelona are reportedly set to rival Chelsea for the signature of Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez.

The 23-year-old was subject to late interest in the summer window from the West Londoners, who allegedly failed with a £43m offer.

Alvarez briefly refused to train with Ajax, who decided to block the Mexico international from moving to Stamford Bridge, and head coach Alfred Schreuder has since revealed that the midfielder was keen to sign for the Premier League club.

Speaking to ESPN last month, Schreuder said: "Chelsea reported themselves for Edson Alvarez on the final day and Alvarez wanted this.

"For one day he was feeling very down by yesterday he told me: 'Coach, I am here and I will give 100% again'."

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Chelsea are thought to be keeping tabs on Alvarez's situation at Ajax and one report claims that they are preparing to reignite their interest when they January transfer window opens.

However, Sport states that the Blues could face competition from Barcelona for the midfielder's signature.

Barca are understood to have sent scouts to watch Alvarez in Champions League group games against Liverpool, Napoli and Rangers this season.

The report adds that the Catalan giants have identified Alvarez as a possible replacement for midfield veteran Sergio Busquets, who is out of contract next summer.

Busquets, 34, has spent his entire 15-year professional career at Camp Nou, but he now faces an uncertain future at the club and has been linked with a potential switch to the MLS.

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Alvarez is not the only midfielder attracting interest from Barcelona as the report also states that Wolverhampton Wanderers star Ruben Neves remains on their radar.

The 25-year-old recently admitted that it is a "privilege" to be linked with the Catalan club, telling Canal 11: "Who wouldn't want to try Barcelona? I think it's a common question for all players.

"It's one of the biggest clubs in the world. Of course, it's always a privilege for me to be associated with clubs of this calibre. I'm going to do my job here [at Wolves] and I'm sure I have people working with me.

"I trust these people a lot for these situations. I have to focus as much as I can on Wolves. Making a good time here, things will come naturally."

Barca have also been credited with an interest in Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi, PSV Eindhoven's Ibrahim Sangare and Benfica's Enzo Fernandez.