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.
24.01.2022 - 16:03 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Manchester City target Julian Alvarez has previously discussed the pleasure he received by playing with record Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi at international level.
And the River Plate forward has his eyes on winning a place in the Argentina squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and will hope a move to Man City will boost his chances of doing just that.
The 21-year-old has become the latest attacking threat to be marked on the Blues' radar with City lodging an offer for the South American Footballer of the Year.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, he is said to have a £16.75m release clause in his contract with current club, River Plate, wanting to keep him until the summer.
After making five has made five appearances for Argentina, he has outlined the impact of playing with the PSG star and his international ambitions.
“Playing with Messi is the best. As a child I dreamed of that, he is my idol. You learn by looking at him on the pitch and from the outside as well. He is the best player in the world. That he is so simple, humble … makes you learn many things," he previously told Ambito.
“I dream of being in Qatar, because it is what every footballer wants. Playing a World Cup is the best as an athlete.
“That we have won the Copa América after so many years is a proud moment (sic) as an Argentine, a joy to have been part of it. People needed that after this time of the pandemic. It was an award for the whole country."
Should City sign him, it is unlikely he'll be added to the squad and would be loaned to a sister club in Europe.
Sign up to our City newsletter so you never miss an update from the Etihad Stadium this season.
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 are looking to snatch Borussia Dortmund talisman Erling Haaland from beneath the noses of 'frontrunners' Real Madrid, according to reports.
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.
The January transfer window might be closed, but rumours are never far away when it comes to Manchester City.
Manchester City agreed four deals in January to complete a prospective squad for the 2025/26 season, with half a starting XI already under contract for the following year.
Another transfer window has ended with little fanfare from Manchester City.
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."
Dusan Vlahovic has broken silence on his January switch to Juventus amid 'interest' from Manchester City.
Football has a way of shaping a player’s whole career with simple twists of fate.