Manchester City Confounded by Julian Alvarez’s Transfer Stance and Contract Demands
Manchester City officials have reportedly been left ‘completely baffled’ by Julian Alvarez’s behavior and transfer stance over the summer.
The Argentina international, who has been linked with potential moves away from the Etihad Stadium, has expressed a desire for more opportunities as a leading striker.
Alvarez’s Role and Transfer Links
In the 2023/24 season, Alvarez saw increased playing time compared to his debut campaign, achieving his most productive season for the club in terms of goals.
However, much of his time on the field was spent in an attacking midfield role. He was also relied upon to fill in for Erling Haaland during the Norwegian’s two-month injury absence.
Despite these opportunities, Alvarez has shown openness to exploring other options, leading to transfer links with clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Atletico Madrid. Atletico Madrid has emerged as the most serious contender for his signature.
Contractual Demands and Discussions
According to a report by Steve Kay from FootballTransfers, Manchester City is ‘completely baffled’ by Alvarez’s behavior regarding his future at the club, his engagement with transfer interest, and his demand for improved contract terms.
This situation is perplexing, especially since Alvarez renewed his contract in March 2023. Despite this renewal, he recently turned down Manchester City’s new proposal after the club agreed to meet his demands for improved terms.
Alvarez reportedly held discussions with City manager Pep Guardiola about his playing time, prompting Guardiola to make an effort to utilize him more frequently. However, this does not seem to have fully resolved the player’s concerns.
Olympics Participation and Club Reaction
In an attempt to ‘calm the situation,’ Manchester City agreed to let Alvarez join the Argentina national team for the upcoming Paris Olympics, even though he recently participated in the successful Copa America campaign.
This decision reportedly angered Pep Guardiola, while club officials were left ‘seriously confused,’ believing they had done everything possible to make Alvarez feel ‘valued and important.’
Alvarez is not expected to feature for Manchester City until mid-September at the earliest, as he is entitled to a minimum of three weeks’ rest following his Olympic duties with Argentina.
Potential Transfer and Replacement
Should Alvarez secure a transfer in the coming weeks or months, Manchester City is likely to re-enter the transfer market to find a direct replacement.
Any club interested in signing Alvarez would need to meet Manchester City’s financial demands. It is understood that the club would seek an initial transfer fee of €70 million, along with an additional €20 million in potential add-ons.
City may also attempt to retain involvement in Alvarez’s future by including a first refusal clause or a buy-back clause in any agreement, ensuring that the player’s potential and future remain somewhat tied to the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City Confounded by Julian Alvarez’s Transfer Stance and Contract Demands
