Man City joins the race for Julian Alvarez after Arsenal’s transfer plans get sidelined
Manchester City are reportedly joining the race to sign Julian Alvarez, even as the team prepares to face Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Friday.
While coach Enzo Maresca and his players are fully focused on beating the Eagles at Selhurst Park on August 28, the club’s transfer team is busy working behind the scenes.
Since Pep Guardiola left at the end of last season, City has seen a lot of big players leave. Stars like John Stones, Bernardo Silva, and Rodri have all moved on to Inter, Real Madrid, and Barcelona. Others, like Savio, Tijjani Reijnders, Nico Gonzalez, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, and Issa Kabore, have also left, while Omar Marmoush went to Spurs on loan.
Even though the squad still needs help in many areas, Maresca has welcomed new signings like Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest and 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, with a combined transfer fee of £202 million. City also signed Jeremy Monga from Leicester City and brought back Geronimo Rulli, who had played for the club before in 2016-2017.
Now, it looks like another former player might return. Spanish news outlet MARCA reports that Manchester City is trying to bring back Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez.
MARCA explains that Alvarez’s dream of playing for Barcelona is no longer possible, and the Premier League is now his main option if he leaves Atletico. Although Arsenal was once seen as a top choice, Manchester City has recently entered the race.
Alvarez left City two years ago for Atletico in an £82 million deal, seeking a bigger role after playing in the shadow of Erling Haaland. City sees a chance to bring him back, especially as their attacking players Marmoush and Savinho have left the squad.
Both Barcelona and Arsenal have shown interest in Alvarez during the summer, but Atletico’s CEO, Miguel Angel Gil Marin, recently criticized Barcelona for a lack of honesty and made it clear they won’t sell Alvarez to them.
Gil Marin said, “We will not negotiate with Barcelona under any circumstances. The player will definitely not be transferred to Barcelona.”
This is after Barca president Joan Laporta publicly said they still want to sign Alvarez this summer.
Atletico’s coach Diego Simeone said he will do everything to help Alvarez fit back into the team when he returns to training. However, Alvarez won’t play in Atletico’s match against Sevilla on August 29.
Simeone said, “From the moment he comes back, I will do everything to make him feel important. I hope to help him continue being a key player for us. He won’t be there against Sevilla, who are coming off two wins and feeling confident.”
Alvarez had a great time at City despite being second to Haaland. He scored 36 goals and made 19 assists in 103 games, helping the club win six major trophies, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League.
Alvarez is under contract with Atletico until 2030.