According to reports, Manchester United is willing to pay €150 million (£125 million) this summer to acquire Julian Alvarez, a forward for Atletico Madrid.
After joining Atletico from Manchester City in the summer, 25-year-old Alvarez has been playing well for Diego Simeone’s team this season, tallying 17 goals and dishing out four assists in 37 games across all competitions.
In addition to helping the Red and Whites advance to the Copa del Rey semifinals, where he has scored four goals and provided one assist in five games, the Argentina international has six goals and one assist in eight Champions League appearances, leading Atletico to the competition’s knockout round.
Alvarez’s move from Man City has proven to be a huge success, and he has contributed to Atletico’s second-place finish in La Liga with seven goals and two assists in 24 games.
When he first arrived, the World Cup winner signed a six-year contract with Wanda Metropolitano, but Fichajes says he might return to Manchester during the summer transfer window.
According to the report, Man United will ‘go all out’ to sign Alvarez, with the Red Devils prepare to make a €150m (£125m) move for the attacker to give themselves a much-needed boost.
United will ‘go all out’ to sign Alvarez, with the Red Devils prepare to make a €150m (£125m) move for the attacker to give themselves a much-needed boost.
Alvarez joined Man City from River Plate in 2022, and in 103 games with the Citizens, he recorded 36 goals and 17 assists before deciding to look for new opportunities last summer.
Man City manager Pep Guardiola said, “I don’t like to tell players what they have to do,” in response to a question about Alvarez’s departure in August. “Although they are nice, contracts can be broken. Why should you be here if you’re not happy?
He is highly adored by the team for his actions, but as I have frequently stated to the players, Atletico is a premier club in Spain and Europe, so if he wants to leave and seek a new challenge, they suggested to me that
Despite being strongly linked to Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres, Man United is reportedly ready to move for a new striker this summer and has cooled their interest in him.
The Red Devils are reportedly getting ready to concentrate on Alvarez because they believe he would be the best player to spearhead their attack in a 3-4-3 formation. Liam Delap of Ipswich Town is reportedly a target.
What does Hojlund, Zirkzee’s future hold?
Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund haven’t impressed this season, and it’s likely that one of Old Trafford’s two senior strikers will be traded during the summer transfer window.
The 17-year-old Chido Obi is expected to be included in the squad for Sunday’s Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur as he continues to make a significant impact at the youth level.
With both Hojlund and Zirkzee possibly departing if good offers are received, it is not impossible to see Obi playing backup to a senior forward next season, who might be Alvarez.
During Friday’s press conference prior to the match against Spurs, Man United head coach Ruben Amorim acknowledged that the Red Devils would have to sell before they could purchase.