Manchester City still plan to sign a marquee striker in the summer transfer window, with Erling Haaland their top target.
31.01.2022 - 17:51 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The little town of Calchin is lost in the vastness of the Pampas, the great grasslands that feeds the people of Argentina’s cities.
With a population of around 2,500, and more than 30 miles off the main road between Cordova and Buenos Aires, it has eked out an existence by farming livestock, alfalfa and cereals, a small town unnoticed and unknown.
But these days if you take the diversion off the main highway and go to Calchin, there are new billboards on the approach roads to the town, proudly proclaiming “Welcome to Calchin, the land of Julian Alvarez ”. The unassuming folk of the tiny provincial town finally have something to shout about — and they want the world to know.
The 21-year-old footballer has completed his €17.9million move to Manchester City, but will stay at his current club River Plate on loan until summer, at the earliest.
And his exploits have placed his little, unassuming hometown firmly on the map.
Those who know Alvarez, the son of an infant school teacher and a truck driver at the local cereal factory, say he reflects the humble background in which he was raised — shy, polite and easy-going, off the field.
But when he dons the famous red-banded short of River Plate — one of Argentina’s two footballing giants — the quiet country boy turns into a goal-hungry monster who is the latest in an illustrious list of players to be named South American Footballer of the Year, a list that includes Pele, Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho, Neymar and Carlos Tevez.
He knocked in 22 goals in 45 games for River last season, and as an accomplished set-piece specialist also provided 12 assists, to start a rush for his services which City have won.
The rapidity and size of his rise from being a 15-year-old playing in the
Manchester City still plan to sign a marquee striker in the summer transfer window, with Erling Haaland their top target.
Julian Alvarez won't make headlines every week for his goals, Manchester City have been warned.
Julian Alvarez scored his first goals as a Manchester City player as he netted an impressive hat-trick for River Plate on Wednesday.
Pep Guardiola says Gabriel Jesus is “the best in the world” at defending from the front.
Pep Guardiola says January signing Julian Alvarez is good enough to join the Manchester City squad this month, but the club decided he would be better remaining at River Plate on loan.
Manchester City fans have made it very clear they want the club to still sign Erling Haaland despite the arrival of Julian Alvarez.
Manchester City's sister club Troyes have confirmed the permanent signing of defender Erik Palmer-Brown two days after the transfer deadline.
Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling have been warned that their spots in the Manchester City team could be at risk when Julian Alvarez arrives at the club.
Manchester City intend to welcome Julian Alvarez to the Etihad in July, his agent has confirmed, but River Plate have hinted they will 'do everything' to keep him on loan beyond then.
River Plate fans have expressed their disappointment at the news that last season's top goalscorer Julian Alvarez will become a Manchester City player at the end of the season.
Boca Juniors hero Dario Felman insists that Julian Alvarez is the 'perfect signing' for Manchester City after the Argentina international forward sealed his move to the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City believe they have landed one of the top young talents in South American football after completing a deal for Julian Alvarez.
Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Argentina international Julian Alvarez.
Manchester City have completed the signing of South American Footballer of the Year Julian Alvarez for a fee of around £14million.
It has been a quiet month on the transfer front at Manchester City, but they are expected to soon announce the arrival of Julian Alvarez.
Julian Alvarez is the most high-profile piece of transfer business left for Manchester City to conclude in the January window.
River Plate president Jorge Brito has confirmed that striker Julian Alvarez will be joining Manchester City, insisting it is a "done deal."
Football has a way of shaping a player’s whole career with simple twists of fate.