Manchester City and Atlético Madrid have reached an agreement for the transfer of striker Julián Álvarez, with the LaLiga side splashing out up to €95 million ($104m) for the Argentine forward. This deal marks City’s record departure, as they are set to make a significant profit on the initial £14m investment they made when signing Álvarez from River Plate in January 2022.
Despite Álvarez’s impressive performance for City, where he scored 36 goals in 103 games and helped the club secure multiple titles, including the treble in 2023 and a Premier League title, the 24-year-old striker found himself vying for playing time with Erling Haaland. With Álvarez keen on securing regular football opportunities, City saw fit to negotiate the deal with Atlético, believing it to be a satisfactory outcome for all parties involved.
Following Álvarez’s departure, Manchester City will now need to assess whether they should seek out a replacement understudy for Haaland, especially considering the Norwegian striker’s injury history. Haaland’s absence last season provided Álvarez with ample playing time, as he made 54 appearances across all competitions and demonstrated his scoring prowess with 11 league goals in the Premier League.
As City continue to build their squad for future challenges, the departure of Álvarez represents both a loss and an opportunity for new talent to emerge. While the arrival of Brazil winger Savinho earlier in the summer was expected to be the highlight of City’s transfer activity, Álvarez’s exit has opened the door for further reinforcements to be considered.
The transfer of Julián Álvarez from Manchester City to Atlético Madrid marks the end of a successful chapter for the Argentine striker at the Etihad Stadium. As City bid farewell to a player who contributed significantly to their recent successes, they now face the task of reshaping their squad and considering their options for the upcoming season. The deal reflects the competitive nature of modern football, where clubs must constantly evaluate their rosters and make strategic decisions to stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of the sport.