Atletico Madrid has reached an agreement with Manchester City to sign forward Julian Alvarez for a total fee of £81.5 million. This deal includes an initial payment of £64.4 million (€75 million) and potential add-ons worth £17.1 million (€20 million).
Details of the Transfer
Record Sale for Manchester City: This transfer would mark a record sale for Manchester City, surpassing the £50 million that Chelsea paid for Raheem Sterling in 2022.
Alvarez’s Future Decision: Julian Alvarez has indicated that he will decide on his future after Argentina’s participation in the 2024 Olympics, where they were recently eliminated by France. Despite Pep Guardiola’s desire to retain him, the club will not hinder a player who wishes to depart, as seen previously with players like Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez, and Aymeric Laporte.
Current Status: Atletico Madrid has yet to agree on personal terms with Alvarez. However, they have also secured a deal to acquire Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, indicating an active transfer strategy this summer.
Julian Alvarez’s Career at Manchester City
Arrival at City: Alvarez joined Manchester City in 2022 from River Plate for £14.1 million. Since then, he has made a significant impact, scoring 36 goals in 106 appearances.
Achievements: During his time at City, Alvarez won the Treble in his first season, including the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League titles. Additionally, he was a part of Argentina’s squad that triumphed in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Managerial Perspectives
Pep Guardiola’s Comments: City manager Pep Guardiola expressed his intention to keep Alvarez, saying, “I count on him, but he said in the news that decisions will be made all together.” This reflects City’s approach of not blocking players’ moves if they choose to leave.
This transfer highlights Atletico Madrid’s ambition to strengthen their squad, while Manchester City will gain a substantial financial boost from Alvarez’s departure, reflecting his rising value since joining from River Plate.
