Manchester City supporters have been reacting strongly to fresh claims that the club monitored Julian Alvarez’s situation during the final stages of the summer transfer window, with the possibility of a return to the Etihad apparently considered.
According to the transfer-window insight used as the factual basis for this story, several sources familiar with Alvarez’s situation indicated that Manchester City kept an eye on developments last week to assess whether a return could become possible.
However, City reportedly received no encouragement that Alvarez wanted to come back, while the club deny making any approach to the striker’s camp.
The revelation has triggered a fascinating debate among supporters. Some fans would welcome Alvarez back immediately, while others believe the circumstances behind his original departure make a return extremely unlikely.
Manchester City fans react to Julian Alvarez return claim
The strongest theme in the fan reaction is simple: why would Alvarez return when the reason he left Manchester City has not fundamentally changed?
One supporter summed up that argument by writing:
“He left because he wanted to be the main striker what makes him think anything has changed lol”
That reaction cuts directly to the heart of the debate.
Alvarez left City because he wanted a more prominent role. With Erling Haaland still central to Manchester City’s attack, any potential return would immediately raise the same question that existed before his departure.
Would Alvarez be willing to share minutes again?
That is the issue many supporters cannot ignore.
Alvarez was highly valued during his time in Manchester, but playing behind Haaland inevitably limited the number of matches in which he could operate as the undisputed central striker.
If his priority remains becoming the main attacking figure at his club, returning to Manchester City could recreate exactly the situation he wanted to escape.
Some fans would still welcome Alvarez back immediately
Despite those concerns, there is clearly still plenty of affection for Alvarez among the City fanbase.
One supporter wrote:
“If he’s interested bring him back to the Etihad”
Another fan admitted:
“Really hoped for this”
Those reactions show that Alvarez remains a hugely popular former player among many Manchester City supporters.
His work rate, movement and versatility made him an important member of the squad, and supporters remember the contribution he made during his spell at the Etihad.
The idea of adding Alvarez back into the squad is naturally exciting.
For Manchester City, having Haaland and Alvarez available again would give Enzo Maresca outstanding attacking depth.
Alvarez could potentially operate as a striker, a second forward or even in deeper attacking areas depending on the tactical system.
The Argentine’s flexibility could also make him particularly useful under Maresca, especially across a demanding season involving domestic and European competition.
Fans dream of Haaland and Alvarez partnership again
One supporter suggested that bringing Alvarez back could give City an almost frightening level of attacking strength.
The fan wrote that if Alvarez returned, City could become a force that opponents would struggle to challenge.
That view is understandable.
Manchester City already possess one of football’s most dangerous goalscorers in Haaland. Adding another elite forward capable of pressing, creating and finishing would provide Maresca with enormous tactical flexibility.
There would also be the possibility of playing both forwards together.
That option was sometimes discussed during Alvarez’s first spell at City, although balancing two central attackers was not always straightforward.
Maresca could potentially approach the situation differently.
If Alvarez were prepared to operate slightly deeper or drift into wider areas, a partnership with Haaland could create significant problems for opponents.
However, that remains hypothetical.
The biggest obstacle would still be convincing Alvarez that the role available to him is attractive enough.
One rival fan found the idea amusing
Not all the reaction was sympathetic to Manchester City.
A Chelsea-supporting account reacted with laughter at the suggestion that City believed Alvarez might consider returning.
The fan wrote:
“PLEASE THIS MADE ME LAUGH AS IF MAN CITY THOUGHT ALVAREZ WOULD WANT TO GO BACK”
That reaction reflects how the situation may look from outside Manchester City.
Alvarez made a major career decision when he left the Etihad. Returning relatively soon afterwards could appear like a reversal of that decision.
But football circumstances change quickly.
Players move clubs looking for bigger roles, only to discover that reality does not always match expectations.
Clubs also reassess squad needs constantly.
The fact that City reportedly monitored developments does not necessarily mean they expected a deal to happen. It could simply indicate that they were prepared to explore an opportunity if circumstances changed.
Supporters discuss Alvarez’s Atletico Madrid situation
Another Manchester City supporter suggested that Alvarez might eventually regret not returning.
The fan argued:
“If Julian had been smart & come back to City for 2/3 years, then it would have been far easier for him to end up at his dream scenario”
The supporter went on to mention Barcelona as a possible long-term destination while expressing concern about Alvarez’s situation at Atletico Madrid.
That reaction introduces another important part of the discussion.
A return to Manchester City could theoretically provide Alvarez with stability, trophies and Champions League football while allowing him to reassess his future later.
However, from the player’s perspective, returning to a club where he previously wanted greater attacking responsibility may not be attractive.
Alvarez’s career decisions will ultimately be based on his own ambitions rather than how supporters assess the situation.
Manchester City’s denial is important
It is also important to distinguish between monitoring a situation and making a formal transfer move.
The information surrounding Alvarez suggests Manchester City were aware of developments and looked at whether a return might become possible.
At the same time, City deny approaching the player’s camp.
That distinction matters.
Elite clubs constantly monitor players and potential transfer situations.
That does not always mean negotiations begin.
City may simply have wanted to understand whether an unexpected opportunity existed before deciding whether further action was worthwhile.
When they received no encouragement, the possibility appears to have gone no further.
Would Alvarez fit Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City?
From a tactical perspective, there is little doubt that Alvarez could offer Maresca useful options.
His intensity without the ball would suit a side looking to press aggressively.
His ability to move between attacking positions could also allow City to vary their structure.
The real challenge would be managing his role alongside Haaland.
Maresca would need to provide Alvarez with enough responsibility to make a return worthwhile.
That could involve using him behind Haaland, rotating the two forwards or occasionally starting both together.
But those ideas only work if Alvarez accepts that Haaland will remain one of Manchester City’s most important players.
That was part of the original problem.
Fans remain divided over whether a reunion could work
Manchester City supporters appear to fall into two clear camps.
One group would happily welcome Alvarez back and believes his quality would immediately improve the squad.
The other group believes the idea makes little sense because the same competition with Haaland would remain.
Both arguments have merit.
Alvarez is clearly talented enough to play for Manchester City.
The issue is not quality.
It is role, status and playing time.
If Alvarez wanted to return and was comfortable sharing attacking responsibility, City would gain another proven forward.
If he still wants to be the unquestioned first-choice striker, however, Manchester may not be the ideal destination.
City fans still have affection for Julian Alvarez
Perhaps the most interesting part of the reaction is how warmly Alvarez is still viewed by many supporters.
There is little bitterness in most of the responses.
Instead, there is excitement, curiosity and some regret that a reunion apparently did not progress.
That says plenty about Alvarez’s reputation among the fanbase.
He left behind positive memories, and many supporters would clearly enjoy seeing him in a Manchester City shirt again.
For now, though, the prospect appears distant.
City reportedly monitored the situation, received little encouragement and deny making an approach.
Unless circumstances change significantly, the Haaland-Alvarez reunion will remain something supporters can debate rather than something Maresca can plan around.
Still, the reaction proves one thing: Julian Alvarez has not been forgotten at Manchester City.
