August 6 – Manchester City and Atletico Madrid have agreed a deal for Argentina striker Julian Alvarez worth up to £82 million (€95 million) as the 24-year-old looks to complete a move to the Spanish capital.
The fee is made up of an initial £64.4 million (€75 million) with a further £17.1 million (€20 million) in potential add-ons. Personal terms still have to be agreed.
Alvarez, who scored 20 goals in 67 Premier League appearances for Man City, and provided further nine assists would be a record sale for City, surpassing the £50 million Chelsea paid for Raheem Sterling in 2022.
The 24-year-old stated that he would decide on his future only after Argentina’s participation in the 2024 Olympic football tournament concluded. The team was eliminated by hosts France last Friday.
Alvarez is valued at €90 million according to Transfermarkt.
The move leaves City looking a little bare of tried and tested scorers up front in case star striker Erling Haaland gets injured. The Norwegian was sidelined for seven Premier League games last term with a bone injury.
But it does represents smart business from City, who bought Alvarez for €20 million from River Plate back in 2022.
Alvarez’s departure also makes way for Manchester City’s new signing Savinho.
Diego Simone’s side are busy in the transfer market this window, with Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher also on standby to fly to Madrid as Atletico and Chelsea continue negotiations over Spanish striker Samu Omorodion. That deal hinged on Atleti’s ability to sign a striker replacement, which Alvarez looks to have fulfilled.
Chelsea are reportedly ‘all set’ for the Omorodion move, having already agreed personal terms and agreed the £35 million fee. It looks as though the transfer of Alvarez to the Spanish capital will set off a chain reaction worth upwards of £150 million.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1735152086labto1735152086ofdlr1735152086owedi1735152086sni@g1735152086niwe.1735152086yrrah1735152086
