Manchester City has agreed to sell Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid for a huge fee of £81.5m. This is a record sale by the Cityzens if the deal goes through. The World cup winner seeks regular play time prompting him for this move away from the Etihad. The English club has no intention of selling the Argentine but they will respect the player’s decision. City do not force any player to stay if they are desperate for a transfer. They signed the 24 year old for just £20m two years ago. This sale is going to profit Man City by a huge margin.
Despite scoring 36 goals in just 103 appearances for the club, Alvarez has not been a regular starter. The 24 year old was instrumental in Argentina’s victorious Copa America campaign. He scored 3 goals for Argentina in their historic World cup campaign. Therefore, it is normal for a player of his quality to demand more minutes in important matches. Last season Pep Guardiola was criticised for not showing enough faith on the Argentine.
Manchester City fans were left frustrated when the manager gave starts to Erling Haaland even when he was struggling to find rhythm. He does not want to remain in the Norwegian striker’s shadow anymore. Therefore, to get more minutes he is leaving behind the Manchester rain for the sunny streets of Madrid.
Why did Alvarez choose Atleti?
Atletico Madrid is one of the most successful and historic clubs in Spain. Wanda Metropolitano has seen some of the finest strikers in football history don the red and white jersey. The likes of Fernando Torres, Aguero, Diego Forlan, and Luis Suarez to name a few. Playing for the club where these legends played is tempting for a striker of his quality. Diego Simeone has promised his fellow comrade to make him an important player of the squad.
According to Marca, international teammates Rodrigo De Paul and Nahuel Molina played a massive role in convincing Alvarez to join Atletico. Most of the players are fluent in Spanish which will make it easier for the player to communicate. Alvarez admires Diego Simeone’s project and wishes to be the main star of this project. The dressing room atmosphere is more familiar to Alvarez and he prefers the warm climate of Spain. Most importantly he has won everything in England and wants a new challenge in his life.
Nicknamed “La Arana” (the Spider) by his fans because of his lethal instincts in front of goal. He is 24 years of age and he will not be able to get out of Haaland’s shadow if he stays at City. I feel he deserves more minutes and this is the correct decision. He can cement himself as the next star of Wanda Metropolitano. The Spanish giants are also offering better salary to lure the Argentine. This transfer will be a win-win situation for both Man City and Julian Alvarez.
Man City find Alvarez replacement
Julian Alvarez is likely to leave Manchester City this season. This means youngsters like James McAtee and Savinho will get more minutes. City signed the Brazilian youngster for £30m from Troyes. He has been a key player for Girona last season, helping them qualify for Champions league this season. Pep Guardiola has chosen him as the replacement of Alvarez.
Savinho believes this is a great opportunity for him to develop. He scored 11 goals in 41 appearances for Girona last season. The opportunity to work under Pep Guardiola lured him to the Etihad. He has impressed viewers with his stellar performances last season. He revealed his idol while growing up was Riyad Mahrez. The youngster will take the number 26 and try to replicate Mahrez’s contribution to the club. He says;
“Mahrez was a role model for me ever since I watched him as a child. Yes, there are similarities to our games. He’s written history here but Mahrez is Mahrez, Savinho is Savinho. Now it’s my turn to make my history here.”
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