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.
22.01.2022 - 18:37 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Manchester City's new transfer target Julian Alvarez has already revealed his admiration for the club.
It is believed that City have submitted a bid for the 21-year-old who has taken Argentine football by storm this season.
The youngster who plays on the wing or as a striker for River Plate is believed to have a £16.75m release clause but, according to reports in Argentina, his current club would like to keep him until the summer.
Pep Guardiola is thought to not see Alvarez as a first-team starter straight away at the Etihad and that he would be willing to send him out on loan to a European side so that he can gain experience.
Before City's interest, Manchester United were thought to be keen on signing the talented forward, however along the way the Blues have managed to move ahead of the Reds in the race for his signature.
Alvarez is likely to have always preferred a move to the blue half of the city after his comments in a 2020 interview on Radio La Red.
Speaking back then on his dream move, the goalscorer said: "Playing in Europe is most people's dream because of those leagues' quality and what it means to be at those clubs.
"But I am taking it easy. Obviously I talk to my agent and my family, but I know I have to stay focused on what I'm doing. Later the time will come, through the work I am doing.
"On the PlayStation I play with Barcelona or Manchester City."
If reports are to be believed, it might not be long until Alvarez is controlling himself on the PlayStation in the blue of City.
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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.
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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.
The little town of Calchin is lost in the vastness of the Pampas, the great grasslands that feeds the people of Argentina’s cities.
Manchester City have completed the signing of South American Footballer of the Year Julian Alvarez for a fee of around £14million.
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."
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Football has a way of shaping a player’s whole career with simple twists of fate.
Julian Alvarez might already have realised he will not be given any special treatment as he prepares to sign for Manchester City during the January transfer window.