Atletico Madrid Eye Julian Alvarez

Atletico Madrid have agreed to sign Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez for £81.5 million.

The deal includes an initial payment of £64.4 million (75 million euros) and potential add-ons totaling £17.1 million (20 million euros). Alvarez, who recently finished Argentina’s 2024 Olympic campaign, has been a primary target for Atletico Madrid.

The Argentine forward had previously indicated that he would make a decision on his future only after Argentina’s Olympic involvement concluded. However, following Argentina’s exit at the hands of hosts France last Friday, Alvarez’s move has gained momentum.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola had expressed his intention to retain Alvarez, noting his importance to the team.

“I count on him,” Guardiola stated earlier in August, emphasizing Alvarez’s role in the upcoming season. Despite this, City has a history of accommodating player transfer requests, as seen with Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez, and Aymeric Laporte.

Atletico Madrid, which have also reached an agreement to sign Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, is yet to finalize personal terms with Alvarez. The move marks a significant investment for Atletico, potentially setting a new record for Manchester City. The anticipated transfer fee surpasses the £50 million Chelsea paid for Raheem Sterling in 2022.

Prominent role

Julian Alvarez joined Manchester City in 2022 from River Plate for £14.1 million. Since then, he has made 106 appearances, scoring 36 goals and contributing to City’s successful campaign. During his first season, Alvarez was instrumental in City’s Treble win and played a role in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory.

Despite his accomplishments, Julian Alvarez has frequently played second fiddle to Erling Haaland. Seeking more consistent playing time, Alvarez is expected to find this opportunity at Atletico Madrid.

With a remarkable trophy collection already under his belt, he now aims to become a central figure in a team. The finalization of this transfer will be closely monitored, as it could significantly influence the upcoming season’s dynamics for both Atletico Madrid and Manchester City.