Leeds United may have to battle La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid in the race to sign Agustin Alvarez in January, according to Mundo Deportivo, translated by Sports Witness.

The Lowdown: Alvarez profiled

Alvarez is a 20-year-old centre-forward who currently plies his trade for Uruguayan side Penarol.

He’s scored 33 goals for his current employers and one for Uruguay, with his Transfermarkt valuation rocketing in 2021 from £270,000 to £4.05m.

Leeds currently have Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo out injured, and it appears as if Victor Orta and Andrea Radrizzani could spend in the New Year as a result.

The Latest: Update emerges

Sports Witness relayed claims from Mundo Deportivo's print newspaper in a story on Monday regarding Alvarez.

They suggested that both Barcelona and Real Madrid are keen on the forward, with a €12m (£10.2m) fee thought to be enough for Penarol to sell. Leeds, led by Orta of course, have reportedly already made contact for Alvarez and could make an offer in 2022.

The Verdict: Time to swoop?

Marcelo Bielsa’s attacking options are limited at this moment in time with Bamford and Rodrigo sidelined, with winger Dan James the latest to occupy a centre-forward role in the 7-0 defeat to Manchester City.

Tyler Roberts and teenager Joe Gelhardt have also been used, but bolstering the club’s attacking ranks with Alvarez could prove to be a shrewd move in both the short and long term.

A £10.2m fee should be in Leeds’ reach as well, compared to a £25m figure Blackburn want for Ben Brereton Diaz, and a few winter window additions could prove to be the difference in the club’s battle to avoid relegation in what could prove to be Bielsa’s final season.

In other news: Leeds now back in for summer target who is 'like a beast' - reliable journalist.