Manchester City identify two alternatives to outgoing forward star Julian Alvarez

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City have reportedly identified two replacements for Julian Alvarez.

The 24-year-old is set to complete a club-record move to Atletico Madrid, leaving the Etihad Stadium for the Civitas Metropolitano in a deal worth €95 million, despite having signed a long-term contract until 2028 with Manchester City last year.

Alvarez, who was also linked with both Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, moved to Manchester City from River Plate for £14 million in 2022, and has won six trophies with Pep Guardiola’s side, including two Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League.

The Argentinian forward has also won the Emirates FA Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup with the Sky Blues, and lifted both the FIFA World Cup and Copa America while playing his club football in east Manchester.

Alvarez was directly involved in 32 goals for Manchester City last season, and featured over 50 times for the Blues during the 2023/24 campaign, scoring 19 goals and registering 12 assists.

Guardiola is now facing the prospect of needing to replace the 24-year-old, with Manchester City beginning their Premier League title defence at Stamford Bridge next Sunday, in a major clash against Chelsea.

The Catalonian coach has hinted at entering the transfer market to replace the forward, although outlet HITC claim that Manchester City pair Savinho and James McAtee could step-up in the absence of the Argentinian.

McAtee is set to remain at the Etihad Stadium for the new season following successive loan spells at Bramall Lane with Sheffield United, meanwhile Savinho moved to Manchester City from ES Troyes last month.

Both players featured during Saturday’s FA Community Shield win over Manchester United at Wembley Stadium, with Savinho scoring during the penalty shoot-out win.