Atletico Madrid Set to Sign Julian Alvarez from Manchester City in Record £81.5m Deal

Atletico Madrid have reached an agreement with Manchester City to sign forward Julian Alvarez in a deal worth up to £81.5 million. The transfer fee includes an initial payment of £64.4 million (75 million euros) and potential add-ons totaling £17.1 million (20 million euros). This transfer will set a new record for Manchester City, surpassing the £50 million received from Chelsea for Raheem Sterling in 2022.

Julian Alvarez, 24, has been a standout player for Manchester City since joining the club from River Plate in 2022 for £14.1 million. He has scored 36 goals in 106 appearances and played a crucial role in City’s Treble-winning campaign during his first season at the Etihad. The Argentine forward also contributed to Argentina’s triumph in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, adding to his impressive resume.

Despite City manager Pep Guardiola’s desire to retain Alvarez, the club has respected the player’s wish to consider a new opportunity. “I count on him, but he said in the news that decisions will be made all together,” Guardiola stated earlier this month, signaling the club’s openness to facilitating the move if Alvarez wished to leave.

Alvarez’s decision to join Atletico Madrid comes after Argentina’s recent exit from the 2024 Olympics football tournament, where they were knocked out by hosts France. The forward had expressed his intention to wait until the end of Argentina’s Olympic campaign before finalizing his future plans.

Atletico Madrid are also in the process of securing a deal for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, bolstering their squad ahead of the upcoming season. The Spanish club has yet to agree on personal terms with Alvarez, but the record-breaking transfer fee indicates their commitment to bringing the talented striker to La Liga.

Alvarez’s departure marks another high-profile exit for Manchester City, following the transfers of Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez, and Aymeric Laporte. As City prepare for the new season, the club’s policy of allowing players to leave when they seek new challenges remains consistent.

For Alvarez, the move to Atletico Madrid offers a fresh start and the chance to shine in one of Europe’s top leagues. Fans of both clubs will be eager to see how the Argentine star adapts to his new environment and what impact he will have on Diego Simeone’s side in the coming season.

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