Redaction Simon Brett with David Tully
Published on 2024-06-06 07:00:48
Manchester City will sell Julian Alvarez if they receive a bid in the region of £80m this summer, according to journalist Veronica Brunati.
The 24-year-old has emerged as a transfer target for a series of top European clubs, with both Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain amongst the teams interested in signing the Argentina international from Manchester City this summer
Alvarez, who moved to the Etihad Stadium for £14 million in July 2022 from River Plate, signed a new one-year contract extension with the Sky Blues last year, with the striker having a long-term deal until 2028 in east Manchester as a result.
The Argentinian made 54 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side this term, registering 30 direct goal involvements, despite making only six starts since the start of January for Manchester City.
Alvarez won a second Premier League title alongside success in both the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup this season, with the forward also looking to win more international silverware this summer at the Copa America in the United States.
The striker won the FIFA World Cup within months of moving to the Etihad Stadium, with Alvarez having scored seven goals in 29 appearances for Argentina.
Etihad officials are expected to reject any transfer approaches for Alvarez this summer, with an unnamed Premier League also reportedly considering an offer for the 24-year-old in the coming weeks.
Manchester City would only consider a sale subject to two requirements according to journalist Veronica Brunati, after Alvarez ‘did not ask’ to be sold during an end-of-season meeting with Club bosses.
An offer in excess of €80 million and a request to leave from Alvarez would reportedly be required for the Sky Blues to sanction a summer sale, with Manchester City yet to receive any formal offers for the striker amid links to both Atletico Madrid and PSG.
There is a split of opinion among fans, with some believing the asking price is fair while others are not happy that the club are open to selling Alvarez:
Hope we cash in👍😁
— Otto (@otto7474) June 5, 2024
if we cash in for £80M, we definitely getting Musiala
— ComboSnack. 🎰 (@_officialmpho) June 5, 2024
No no no
— Kevinnismo👑 (@fidels782) June 5, 2024
We are not a serious club anymore. Who will let a player like Julian Alvarez who has 5 years left in contract for 80M? Fire every higher management. Madrid are signing Mbappe, and we are selling Alvarez. Horrible.
— Savio (@mcfc_Savio) June 5, 2024
Wait why are we selling our players at this point?
— AvFC 🏴☠️ (@TheBruyneEra) June 5, 2024
this kind of business will haunt us one time why would you sell an excellent prospect like Juli
— PepBall (@BaldyPep) June 5, 2024
120 minimum
— Keelan (@KeelanQuesty) June 5, 2024
i’m happy with £80m, there are better strikers for less
— phildinhio (fan account) (@phildinho47) June 5, 2024
In the shadow of Haaland
While the 24-year-old is undoubtedly a top-class striker, he knows full well that he won’t be able to get ahead of Erling Haaland in the pecking order.
To be fair to manager Pep Guardiola, he did start Alvarez on 39 occasions last season, but the forward was not always deployed in his favoured position.
Would Alvarez actually be better off if he left City?
If we assess the four clubs that are reportedly keen on the Argentine, he is unlikely to be first-choice no.9 at three of them. Real Madrid now have Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo to choose from, while Bayern Munich and Barcelona have Harry Kane and Robert Lewandowski respectively.
Atletico are the club where Alvarez would be an undisputed starter up front, but he won’t win anywhere near the same number of trophies at the Spanish club.
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