Manchester City have reached an agreement for River Plate striker Julian Alvarez to move to the Etihad Stadium next summer. The Argentine’s striker has been courted by Europe’s biggest clubs Real Madrid, Manchester United in the last few months and City beat them.
After City failed to land Harry Kane last year, speculation surrounding which striker they’d target in 2022 has rumbled on for months and still Alvarez’s purchase won’t change that.
The Argentine will have to compete with the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden for one of the front three spots.
- Ads -
Julian Alvarez Deal Details
Man City have reached a £15.5million (€18m) agreement with River Plate to sign their “Next Aguero” man this month.
Contract until 2027 but but Alvarez will remain at his club River Plate on loan until later in the year. The transfer is expected to be announced later this week.
- Ads -
The sources suggest Alvarez will join up with City in July if River Plate are eliminated from the Copa Libertadores early.
Alvarez’s 5 goals in 6 group games helped to fire them to the semi-finals in 2020, and if that happens again he will remain with the Argentinian champions until November, and would then be expected to link up with the Blues.
Will he be the one to replace his countryman Sergio Aguero in the Man City attack?
Here Five Reasons Why Julian Alvarez is Perfect Signing for Manchester City?
1. Lethal Finisher
- Ads -
The River Plate striker scored 18 goals and 6 assists in 17 starts this season in the Argentinian top league. He has found the back of the net 20 times in 24 total appearances for the side this term.
| Matches | 18 |
| Goals | 17 |
| Assists | 5 |
| Direct Involvement in Every | 62 min |
| Conversation Rate | 28% |
| Key Pass /90min | 1.9 |
| Big Chance Created | 8 |
| Successful Dribble /90min | 2.6 |
Julian Alvarez is no one-season wonder either as he netted 22 times in 45 games last season to fuel River Plate’s drive to the Argentinian title.
2. Versatile Player
Alvarez can play all across the front line as well as in midfield. That’s a vital quality to have as a City player. It’s been one of the distinguishing factors of Guardiola’s team and has largely contributed to the team’s success in the last several years.
3. South American Player of The Year 2021
2021 was an exceptional year for Julian Alvarez. He was one of the team’s key player, winning three titles with the RiverPlate and being the Professional League top scorer. Furthermore, he was called up by Lionel Scaloni to the Argentina national team and was part of the squad that won the historic Copa America 2021.
4. Just 21 but a winner
- Copa Libertadores winner 2018
- Copa Argentina winner 2018–19
- Recopa Sudamericana winner 2019
- Supercopa Argentina winner 2019
- Pre-Olympic Tournament winner 2020
- Copa América winner 2021 (Argentina U23)
- Trofeo de Campeones winner 2021 (Argentina)
- Primera División winner 2021
- Emerging Argentine Primera División top scorer: 2021 (18 goals)
- South American Team of the Year: 2021
5. Time for more improvement
Although Alvarez sign a five-year deal with City, he could either join up with City in July if River Plate are eliminated from the Copa Libertadores early or stay back longer. He could even be sent out on loan to get used to European football.
