Argentina’s FIFA World Cup-winning forward Julian Alvarez is understood to be all set to leave Manchester City this summer. According to multiple media outlets, Alvarez has completed his move to Spanish side Atletico Madrid having reportedly agreed to a £81.5 million deal. The LaLiga club has not yet reportedly agreed personal terms with Alvarez. It will become a record sale for Manchester City, having surpassed the amount of £50 million Chelsea had shelled out for Raheem Sterling in 2022. A report published by the Mirror claimed that Arsenal were one of the teams, monitoring Alvarez’s transfer situation, having previously roped in former Manchester City players like Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Alvarez’s reported departure from Manchester City could be a big blow as manager Pep Guardiola had been keen on retaining the 24-year-old. Guardiola had said earlier in August that he “counted” on Alvarez ahead of the commencement of the season.
“I count on him, but he said in the news that decisions will be made all together,” Guardiola had said, as per BBC.
Explaining his stance on not stopping an unhappy player from departing, Guardiola had told Sky Sports earlier this year in February, “How can you get the best from a player if he is not happy? If he is here for a contract, it does not work. People have to come here with passion, with love, to want to play and be happy to be here. I apply that to myself. If I am not happy, I will not be here. It does not matter about a contract.”
“I think the players are happy here because how the club treats them is the best. But the players are here to play minutes and be happy. And normally when they do not play, they want to play. I understand completely. And they have to leave,” the Spaniard added.
Alvarez had arrived at Etihad in 2022 on a £14.1 million deal from Argentine side River Plate. The 24-year-old has so far scored 36 goals in 106 appearances for the reigning Premier League champions.
Alvarez won the treble during his first season at Manchester City and he was also a part of Argentina’s FIFA World Cup-winning squad victory in 2022 in Qatar. Apart from Alvarez, Atletico Madrid are understood to have already secured the services of English midfielder Conor Gallagher and Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth.
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