Atletico Madrid is making strategic moves to sign Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez, but their pursuit might be challenging. Alvarez, who had an impressive 2023/24 season with Manchester City, is reportedly a prime target for the La Liga club.
The 24-year-old made 54 appearances across all competitions, scoring 19 goals and providing 13 assists, showcasing his versatility and importance to the team. His adaptability was particularly evident when he filled in for Kevin De Bruyne, playing an attacking midfield role alongside Phil Foden.
The interest in Alvarez is understandable given his stellar performances and significant contributions to Manchester City’s success. With Erling Haaland firmly established as the leading striker at the Etihad Stadium, other European clubs are naturally attracted to Alvarez’s potential.
According to Marca’s David Medina, reported via Atletico Universe on X, Atletico Madrid is determined to secure Alvarez’s services despite acknowledging the difficulties in negotiating with Manchester City. Alvarez is considered Atletico’s top target this summer, and the club has already initiated approaches.
Atletico Madrid’s strategy involves leveraging the influence of their Argentine players, Rodrigo De Paul, Nahuel Molina, and Angel Correa, who are reportedly working to convince Alvarez to join them.
This effort is ongoing, especially as Argentina focuses on the Copa América this summer. The trio is pushing hard to make the transfer happen, aiming to utilize their national team camaraderie to sway Alvarez’s decision.
Since joining Manchester City in the summer of 2022, Alvarez has made a significant impact, drawing comparisons to Argentine legends like Carlos Tevez for his high-pressing style and work rate, and Sergio Aguero for his goal-scoring prowess.
His success is not limited to individual performances; he has also collected significant silverware, including back-to-back Premier League titles and a historic Treble in his debut season, which included winning the UEFA Champions League.
Despite Atletico Madrid’s keen interest, Manchester City is generally resistant to losing key players unless the players themselves express a desire to leave and the financial offer meets the club’s valuation.
Alvarez’s current contract status is advantageous for Manchester City, strengthening their position in any potential negotiations. However, reports suggest that Alvarez might be contemplating a move due to a perceived lack of playing time under Pep Guardiola, which has also sparked his interest in participating in the Olympics.
Interestingly, while Atletico Madrid is pushing hard for Alvarez, it is rumored that if he does leave Manchester City, it will be for a club even larger than Atletico Madrid in Europe.
Some sources claim that an agreement with a more prominent European team is nearly complete, indicating that Alvarez’s future might lie away from both Manchester Cityand Atletico Madrid.
