Manchester City has reportedly turned down Atletico Madrid’s bid for Julian Alvarez, while Chelsea is also eyeing a potential move for the Argentine forward.
Alvarez, who recently wrapped up his second season with City, has been an essential part of Pep Guardiola’s squad, contributing 19 goals as the team secured their fourth consecutive Premier League title.
Despite his impressive tally, Alvarez’s playing time has been somewhat limited. He made 54 appearances across all competitions but ranked only tenth among City’s outfield players in terms of minutes played.
The main reason for his limited role is the presence of Erling Haaland, who remains the primary striker for City.
According to Marca, Alvarez is contemplating a move to gain more prominence and regular starting opportunities, fully aware that he will likely always be second choice to Haaland at City.
The Spanish outlet reports that Atletico Madrid had approached City with a proposal for Alvarez, but the Premier League champions dismissed the offer outright.
Even if City were to consider selling Alvarez, the price would be a significant barrier for Atletico. City has set a minimum asking price of €80 million (£67.9 million) before considering any add-ons, which is likely beyond Atletico’s financial reach.
Alvarez was signed from River Plate in 2022 for an initial fee of £14 million, and he still has three years left on his current contract with City. The club’s firm stance on retaining Alvarez poses a challenge for Chelsea, who, according to sources in Argentina, are preparing to make their own bid for the forward.
Chelsea has established a strong relationship with Manchester City in recent transfer dealings. The Blues have successfully signed Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling from City, while Mateo Kovacic made the switch from Stamford Bridge to the Etihad Stadium last summer.
However, prying Alvarez away from City will be difficult, given his proven versatility and goal-scoring prowess since arriving in the Premier League.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is another club that has shown interest in Alvarez. PSG is in the market for a new forward to replace Kylian Mbappe, who has joined Real Madrid.
While PSG is considering Alvarez, they are also contemplating a move for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen. However, Osimhen’s release clause of €130 million (£110.8 million) poses a significant financial hurdle.
Alvarez’s future at Manchester City remains uncertain, with multiple top clubs monitoring his situation. Despite the interest, City’s reluctance to sell and the high asking price make any potential transfer complex.
Whether Alvarez will stay and continue to fight for his place at City or seek more playing time elsewhere will be a story to watch in the coming transfer window.
