Atletico Madrid have secured the signing of Argentine striker Julian Alvarez from Manchester City in a deal worth £82 million (approximately $104.7 million), the Spanish club announced on Monday. The acquisition of the 24-year-old forward is expected to bolster Atletico’s attacking options as they aim to improve their offensive record in the upcoming season.
According to ESPN, the transfer fee sets a new record for Manchester City in terms of outgoing transfers. Alvarez joined City from River Plate in January 2022 for a modest fee of £14 million (about $17.9 million), but only began playing for the English side in the 2022-23 season.
During his time at Manchester City, Alvarez made 49 appearances in the 2022-23 campaign, predominantly as a substitute. Despite limited playing time, he managed to score 17 goals and provide five assists, contributing significantly to City’s triumphant run, clinching the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League titles.
With injuries plaguing City’s main striker Erling Haaland in the 2023-24 season, Alvarez stepped up to fill the void. He featured in 59 games, netting 19 goals and delivering 13 assists, playing a crucial role in helping City retain the Premier League championship.
Prior to his stint in England, Alvarez had already made a name for himself at River Plate, winning multiple trophies including the Copa Libertadores de America. Internationally, he was part of the Argentina squad that won the FIFA World Cup in 2022 and the Copa America in 2024, adding prestigious honors to his career achievements.
Atletico Madrid are looking to rejuvenate their attack after finishing fourth in the 2023-24 La Liga season with 24 wins, four draws, and ten losses. The team struggled offensively, scoring only 70 goals—the fewest among the top four—and tallying 37 goals in 38 games, the second-fewest in the league. The arrival of Alvarez is anticipated to provide the much-needed firepower to enhance their goal-scoring capabilities.
Alvarez’s move to the Metropolitano Stadium marks a significant investment for Atletico Madrid, reflecting their ambition to compete at the highest level both domestically and in Europe. Fans are eagerly awaiting to see how the Argentine striker will adapt to La Liga and contribute to the team’s future successes.
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Atletico Madrid agree to pay 82 million pounds to land Julian Alvarez
cgtn.com
