Manchester City star set to snub transfer interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid

Julian Alvarez is expected to snub significant transfer interest from La Liga in favour of a new and improved Manchester City deal, as per reports.

Having only officially joined City in the summer of 2022, Julian Alvarez has been a key player for Pep Guardiola’s team over the last few months and has certainly shown great potential for the future.

The Argentina World Cup winner’s versatility has been a huge asset to City, and has been a trait that has seen him operate in a number of different positions across the front line, including striker, a winger, and as a number 10.

The 23 year-old’s ability to create chances and score goals from different positions has been invaluable for the team, and has helped them to maintain their attacking threat even when key players are injured or rested.

However, given the dominant Erling Haaland holding down the main striker role through 33 goals in 33 appearances across all competitions, there has been some concern as to whether Julian Alvarez would be content in often acting as a back-up to the Norwegian.

Now, a new update will put all of those concerns to rest, with a significant update on both City’s intent to improve the former River Plate striker’s contract, and interest from European super clubs.

According to a new report from Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, Manchester City expect to agree a new and improved contract with striker Julian Alvarez, despite interest from La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.

It is further stated that there are not likely to be any obstacles which would prevent an agreement from being reached between Manchester City, Julian Alvarez, and the Argentine’s representatives – even amid interest from two of Europe’s biggest clubs.

While both Real Madrid and Barcelona are reported to have been keen to take advantage of Alvarez’s back-up status under Pep Guardiola, the report quotes ‘sources with knowledge’ of the player’s ‘situation’ who state that Alvarez is “very happy” at the Etihad Stadium.

As for Manchester City, Football Insider report that the Premier League champions are ‘thrilled’ with Julian Alvarez’s progress since signing from River Plate last year, and they see him as a ‘key part of their ambition’ to win more titles in the coming years.

Elsewhere on the contract renewals operation at Manchester City, officials within the Etihad Stadium are also eyeing up a new deal for Nathan Ake – with the Dutchman in exemplary form throughout the season, and proving to be a mainstay in Pep Guardiola’s defence.

The former Chelsea and Bournemouth man – who attracted significant transfer interest from the former last summer – has been instrumental when operating from left-back this season, especially in the absence of a more natural option in the position.

18 year-old Rico Lewis is also expected to be rewarded for his meteoric rise in the Manchester City first-team this season with a vastly improved and lengthened deal at the Etihad Stadium, with such negotiations expected to intensify in the coming weeks.