Atletico Madrid have “advanced negotiations” to sign Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez, according to journalist Cesar Luis Merlo.
The Argentinian reporter says that the Spanish side have held talks with the player’s entourage and they have an agreement for a 5-year contract already in place.
Atletico are now expected to approach City to discuss the transfer fee, but supporters on X are sceptical about whether the move will actually go ahead:
Please don’t sell him 🙏🙏
— Libin Hlr (@LibinHLR) August 2, 2024
Well I mean they either have 80m gbp plus add ons or they don’t…. It’s that simple
— Code Blue (@ClaireMulcahy17) August 2, 2024
They can’t afford him
— zx2# (@DavidGr00471175) August 2, 2024
Pretends to be shocked
— Esdee✮ (@Wesdinho_) August 2, 2024
It takes two to tango. There’s the small matter of a transfer fee for someone who would step in as a starting striker for Atletico and the fact that Julian is a valuable player for City who is under contract until 2028. He’s not a Cole Palmer. He gets lots of playing time.
— Win White💯 (@wsquared3d) August 2, 2024
100M
— Soumya MCFC (@Cityzen_Soumya) August 2, 2024
Anything less than 80m is criminal
— . (@Xeptes_) August 2, 2024
Other clubs have also been linked with the City striker
Atletico are not the only team who have considered making an approach for the 24-year-old. Reports suggest that Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal and Chelsea have also shown an interest.
However, a lot still depends on who is prepared to match Alvarez’s asking price. City are said to be holding out for a fee of €90m (£76.8m) upfront, which includes €70m (£59.7m) and another €20m (£17.1m) in add-ons.
Alvarez says he will make a decision on his future after the Olympics
The 24-year-old is currently with Argentina’s Olympic squad in Paris but he has confirmed that he will weigh up his options once he returns to Manchester:
“I never said anything bad [about the club]. I just said that I was going to think about it like I do every season to make an analysis of what happened last season, a projection of what may come. I always say that I am comfortable and happy at City, which is a great club. I didn’t say anything bad.”
