Manchester City are set to sell Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid for a club record fee of £82 million. The transfer represents City's largest sale ever and allows Alvarez to move to Spain in search of more playing time. This move is part of Pep Guardiola's ongoing squad rebuild, with Alvarez expected to fill the shoes of Antoine Griezmann at Atletico.
Julian Alvarez: Who He Is and Why He Matters
If you’ve been following football lately, you’ve probably seen the name Julian Alvarez popping up in headlines. The 23‑year‑old Argentine forward has gone from a promising youngster at River Plate to a key part of Manchester City’s attack and a regular for the Argentine national team. In plain English, he scores goals, makes smart runs, and loves to celebrate with teammates. But there’s more to his story than just the numbers on the scoresheet.
From River Plate to the Premier League
Alvarez started his professional career in Buenos Ayres with River Plate, where he helped the club win the Copa Sudamericana and the Argentine league title. Those performances earned him a €45 million move to Manchester City in 2022. At City, he’s learned the quick‑pass style of Pep Guardiola while still playing his natural game – a blend of pace, strength, and lethal finishing. In his first season he notched eight Premier League goals, many of them in tight matches that decided three points.
What Makes Alvarez a Threat?
First, his off‑the‑ball movement is relentless. He knows how to find the little pockets of space between defenders, which makes him hard to mark. Second, his finishing is clinical; whether it’s a low‑drive from inside the box or a header from a corner, he delivers. Third, he’s versatile – he can play as a lone striker, a second striker, or even drift wide to create chances for others. This flexibility has helped City rotate their front line without losing firepower.
On the international stage, Alvarez earned his first senior cap in 2022 and quickly became a regular in Diego Martinez’s squad. He scored a crucial goal in the Copa America group stage, showing he can handle pressure when his country needs it. Fans love his energy, and teammates often praise his work ethic during training sessions.
Off the pitch, Alvarez is known for his low‑key lifestyle. He avoids the usual celebrity hype and focuses on improving his game. He often shares short training clips on social media, giving youngsters a glimpse of his routine – a mix of sprint drills, ball work, and recovery sessions.
If you’re wondering whether he’ll stay at City long term, the contract runs until 2027 with an option for an extra year. Reports suggest clubs like Barcelona and Paris Saint‑Germain have shown interest, but Guardiola seems keen to keep his best striker nearby. Whatever happens, watching his next season will be exciting – more goals, more assists, and probably a few surprise moves.
In short, Julian Alvarez is the kind of player who makes a team better simply by being on the field. Whether you’re a City fan, an Argentine supporter, or just a lover of good football, keeping an eye on his progress is worth your time.