Atletico Madrid plot rare exception to club rule in order to sign Manchester City superstar this summer

Manchester City could be subject to Atletico Madrid breaking an in-house rule in order to tempt the club into a sale of Julian Alvarez this summer, according to reports.

The Argentine international is now embarking on a minimum three-week holiday following the conclusion of his international duties this summer, having exited the Olympic Men’s Football tournament in Paris at the quarter-final stage.

Performances in the French capital followed a hugely successful club season that saw Alvarez star in a City side that followed up their historic Treble triumph with victories in the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and a for a fourth successive season, the Premier League.

But despite playing important roles for Pep Guardiola, operating in an attacking midfield position and as a leading striker at various points in the campaign, there is a desire to solidify himself as a number nine for one of Europe’s top clubs.

And as such, should that not be possible at the Etihad Stadium with Erling Haaland holding down the role for the foreseeable, Julian Alvarez has seemingly opened the door to a Manchester City exit, drawing attention from some of the continent’s best sides.

According to the information of ESPN’s Rodrigo Faez, Atlético Madrid are ‘growing more optimistic’ over the prospect of signing Manchester City’s Julián Álvarez this summer, having made progress with the player’s representatives last Friday.

It is further detailed that the La Liga side are now ‘confident that he is inclined to join the club’, which would make negotiations with the Premier League champions easier, and could eye a transfer fee that could reach €60 million.

The report points out that the aforementioned fee is not a price Atleti Madrid are used to paying, but would be willing to make an exception for Diego Simeone in the case of Alvarez. As for the player, it is explained that the 24-year-old is now wanting to ‘take the next step toward being a starter’ in the lone striker role, which can be guaranteed at the Metropolitano.

Conversations over Atletico Madrid and the prospect of luring Julian Alvarez to the Spanish capital are continuing to intensify, with the player’s agent expected in Manchester this week to hold in-person conversations with the Premier League champions.

Atleti may face problems negotiating a fee with Manchester City in the coming days and weeks however, and as such may look to more creative ways of appeasing transfer chiefs from the Etihad Stadium, such as offering players in the opposite direction.

Some reports this week have already indicated the possibility of Portuguese international forward Joao Felix – who has attracted attention from Aston Villa – being added as a makeweight but in a loan with an option to buy.

Further developments are expected in the coming days, and the possibility of more clubs entering the race for Julian Alvarez should not be ruled out, including the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and even Arsenal.