Txiki Begiristain explains why Man City did not get their way with Julian Alvarez transfer

30.08.2022 - 09:27 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Manchester City wanted Julian Alvarez to come straight into Pep Guardiola's squad when they signed him in January, the club's director of football Txiki Begiristain has explained.

City completed the unexpected signing of Alvarez towards the end of the January transfer window when they agreed to pay River Plate £14m for the young striker. However, the terms of the deal stipulated that Alvarez would remain at River on loan for much of 2022, although that date was brought forward to the start of City's pre-season in July.

Speaking in the latest episode of City's Together Again documentary, Begiristain said it was a shame that City could not bring their new signing onboard straight away.

READ MORE: Two Man City players could have new roles after Pep Guardiola experiments

"All we've heard in terms of compromise, character, good person. All the reports are fantastic," he said in conversation with City's chief operating officer Omar Berrada while assessing the club's January business back in February.

"It's a shame because the reality is that we don't have space for him right now. Because the player looks really good. He's one of those types of players that plays behind the striker. He can play as a nine, you can make him play on both wings, but we're covered here. [It is] such a shame he couldn't come immediately."

While Pep Guardiola did not have an out-and-out striker in his senior squad last season, on the whole the attacking department of the team was stacked with talent that left no room for Alvarez. Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus have of course now both left the club, but back in January their futures were unresolved as City tried to tie them both to new deals.

At that time City had no obvious need to sign a player of

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