Manchester City offered €126 million striker on loan as part of Julian Alvarez transfer negotiations

Premier League champions Manchester City have reportedly been offered the services of Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid as part of negotiations for Julian Alvarez.

The future of Manchester City’s number 19 is expected to intensify in terms of transfer interest over the course of the coming days and weeks, with the player intrigued by the potential of leading the line for a club elsewhere in Europe.

Whilst the striker has acknowledged the success of last season under Pep Guardiola, he is of the opinion that he should not have been left out of some important matches towards the end of the campaign, despite having registered a significant number of appearances.

Alvarez starred for the eventual Premier League champions during the opening half of the season, offering a multitude of goals and assists from the attacking midfield role, whilst covering for Erling Haaland at striker during the winter months.

But with a keen eye from a number of European clubs, including Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Arsenal, intent on making Alvarez their new leading striker, the player and his representatives certainly have a decision to make.

Now, according to the information of MailSport, Atletico Madrid have offered Portugal international forward Joao Felix on loan with an option to buy, plus cash, to Manchester City for Julian Alvarez.

Conversations over alternative routes to signing Alvarez are likely to have stemmed from Manchester City’s asking price for the Argentina international, whom they reportedly value at £75 million plus a further £10 million in performance-based bonuses.

Manchester City have been long-term admirers in the talents of Joao Felix ever since his emergence at SL Benfica, initially viewing the now 24-year-old as a potential successor to Sergio Aguero in 2020.

However, it would be Atletico Madrid who swooped in 12 months prior, securing the player on a seven-year contract for a transfer fee understood to be €126 million – the fourth highest sum ever paid in footbal, Benfica’s biggest transfer, and Atléti’s most expensive signing ever.

Joao Felix also saw himself tied to the second highest fee ever paid for a teenager, after Kylian Mbappé, with Atletico Madrid initially paying €30 million to Benfica and €96 million through instalments.

Reports earlier this summer saw Manchester City distanced from interest in Felix on a permanent agreement, with Portuguese media suggesting that there was a greater chance of either a return to Benfica or remaining at Atletico Madrid.