Atletico Madrid close in on Julian Alvarez signing from Manchester City

Manchester City and Atletico Madrid are closing in on an agreement over the sale of Julian Alvarez to the La Liga club this summer, according to new reports.

The latest development concerning the future of the Argentine striker comes following the conclusion of his international commitments with his home nation this summer, having competed at both the Copa America and Olympic Games.

Alvarez, speaking whilst on duty in the French capital last month, explained that despite being happy with life at Manchester City, he would take time to think about his future once his on-field duties had come to a conclusion this summer.

That sparked questions put to manager Pep Guardiola, who was quizzed whether Manchester City had thought about replacing Julian Alvarez this summer, given the fact that any move would leave Erling Haaland as the club’s only natural striking option.

Speaking whilst on the club’s pre-season tour of the United States last month, the Catalan coach explained, “We are not thinking about replacing. I know he (Alvarez) said he’s going to think about it, his agent is going to call Txiki, we’re going to see what happens.”

But plans over a replacement for Alvarez may now have to intensify amongst Manchester City officials, with a new report detailing the advanced nature of a move for the former River Plate starlet this summer.

According to the information of The Athletic’s David Ornstein, La Liga giants Atletico Madrid are now close to striking a deal with Manchester City to sign Argentina international Julian Alvarez this summer.

The report clarifies that while a total agreement has yet to be reached between the two clubs, that is now in sight, with talks said to be at the stage of negotiating the final price for the 24-year-old and a payment structure.

It is explained that ‘significant progress’ has now been made since talks began last week and if the proposed move happens, the fee paid by Atletico Madrid is expected to be at least five times the £14 million City paid River Plate in January 2022.

As for the stance taken by Julian Alvarez himself, The Athletic reports that the striker is keen on a move to the Spanish capital, and personal terms are not expected to be a problem with Atletico Madrid.

Pep Guardiola’s most-recent comments on the future of Julian Alvarez appeared to indicate a lack of concrete updates handed to the Manchester City manager, whilst the 53-year-old admitted he was looking forward to catching up with the player later this summer.

“I count on him, but he said in the news that decisions will be made all together,” Guardiola said last week. “Now he has to rest and when he feels ready to come back he will come back. I’m sure when he comes back I’ll hug and congratulate him for the Copa America, for the Olympics and we will start to work together. This is the reality.”

Pep Guardiola continued, “What happens in the meantime, I have a thousand million things to think about the team.”

At present, there have been no concrete suggestions that Manchester City will re-enter the transfer market to seek a suitable replacement for Julian Alvarez, with Guardiola previous revealing that Savinho would be their only arrival.

Previous reports have pointed towards the idea of securing Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid in return for Alvarez, however there has been little to suggest that such information holds reliability or a strong chance of taking place.

City have been linked with a strong interest in Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes this summer, but the Brazilian midfielder has indicated in recent days that he is set on remaining at St James’ Park, and the Premier League champions have made little progress themselves.