In a move that has shocked many fans on social media, Spanish LaLiga club {statorium_team tid=39 text="Atlético de Madrid"} have agreed to pay {statorium_team tid=4 text="Manchester City"} £82 million to sign 24-year-old striker {statorium_player pid=12649 text="Julian Álvarez"}.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner joined City from River Plate in his home country of Argentina for £14 million in January of 2022 but spent the rest of the 2021/22 season on loan at River. He linked up with Pep Guardiola and the City squad ahead of the 2022/23 season where, together with {statorium_player pid=4812 text="Erling Haaland"}, he hit double digits in goals to help the Manchester-based club win the continental treble.
He then improved on his returns in 2023/24 to help City win an unprecedented fourth straight Premier League title before joining up with the {statorium_team tid=427 text="Argentina"} national team to defend their 2021 Copa America title in USA.
Although Álvarez was a player Pep Guardiola counted on, the freakish Erling Haaland was ahead of him in the pecking order. This greatly troubled the striker, who admitted that it hurt not being able to play in City’s biggest games in the two seasons he has spent at the club. Information was then leaked about the player and his family’s poor adaptation to English weather, especially in Manchester, and their desire to change environments to more warmer climates.
When talks of his exit began to filter in, many were both surprised and understanding. Having a monster like Haaland to contend with for any young striker is sure to create unease for the player. Álvarez is also considered to be a striker who can go toe to toe with the best, having proven it in various matches for Argentina and for City when he was given the chance.
In steps Atlético with a fee that City could not say no to and now, both clubs have agreed on the player’s transfer. He is currently on holiday after dropping out of the Olympic football event thansk to a quarter-final defeat to host nation France. He is expected to return to training within the week, but he could only be returning to say goodbye and clear out his locker before moving to Spain to replace {statorium_player pid=569 text="Alvaro Morata"} at Atlético, who is now at {statorium_team tid=96 text="AC Milan"}.
Los Rojiblancos will pay £64 million up front with the remainder of the fee coming in add-ons. It is City’s record sale, with or without the add-ons.
Álvarez will leave City after making 103 appearances and scoring 36 goals. The Argentine international won six title in his two season at the club which include two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup titles, all of which were won in 2023.