Manchester City have so far not sold any of their big-hitters this summer, but speculation continues to swirl about Julian Alvarez.
The Argentina international has been linked with an exit from the club, after reportedly growing tired of his role in the second half of last season.
Alvarez actually made the most appearances out of any Manchester City player last season across all competitions.
But his actual minutes dried up following the returns of Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland from injury. The form of Phil Foden as a number 10 also did not help his cause.
It has been reported that Alvarez is open to leaving City in the hope of becoming a regular starter elsewhere.
Atletico Madrid are said to be in the hunt, and a report has now shared what it will take for them to actually sign him.
Julian Alvarez to Atletico is very unlikely if new report is to be believed
Alvarez has been a City for two years now, and it has been a successful spell for the South American.
The star has already made 103 appearances, scoring 36 goals and making 18 assists.
Those are pretty good numbers for someone who spent a lot of his first season playing second fiddle to Erling Haaland.
Supposedly, Alvarez is now open to a change of scenery after two years at the Etihad. And Atletico are understood to be keen, having just sold Alvaro Morata to AC Milan.
Mundo Deportivo are now reporting how Atleti will realistically be able to sign Alvarez – and the suggestion is that it will be difficult for the Spanish giants.
Apparently, Atleti would only be able to take Alvarez on loan with a mandatory purchase option. this purchase option would then be payable in installments.
Furthermore, the suggestion is that City would have to have a replacement lined up.
It is mentioned towards the top of the piece that Atleti’s priority now is Girona striker Artem Dovbyk.
Alvarez unlikely to make Atletico move
- Who is Julian Alvarez? The story of the striker who won it all at Man City before joining Atletico Madrid
£100,000-a-week star Alvarez could still leave City this summer, but a move to Atletico certainly sounds very unlikely.
City would likely only want to sell the 24-year-old as loaning him out doesn’t really do anything for the club except burn a year of his contract. Unless, of course, an obligation was inserted. But the suggestion Atleti would seek to pay that in installments just wouldn’t be ideal.
Clearly, Atleti just cannot afford to buy him this summer and are looking to spread any transfer cost over a longer period of time.
So a move to the Wanda Metropolitano doesn’t look likely. But that doesn’t mean another club won’t come calling for Alvarez, who City value at around £80 million.
Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with the player and are no strangers to signing Argentine players. They have just lost Kylian Mbappe and the savings they have made on his wages might put them in a position to test City’s resolve.
