The latest transfer news coming from the blue half of Manchester is that Atlético Madrid have reportedly agreed a record-breaking deal with City to sign Julián Álvarez.
Álvarez, 24, had hinted that his future at Man City was far from settled just last month after making some comments about his playing time and telling national media that he would “decide” after Argentina’s time at this year’s Olympics came to an end.
Well, the South American nation crashed out of Paris 2024 in a turbulent semi-final against France last Friday, which ended with a lengthy on-pitch scuffle after the full-time whistle, and it now looks as though that decision has indeed been made regarding his transfer away from the club.
As per The Athletic and several reliable sources, it appears Julián Álvarez is now set to join Spanish side Atlético Madrid after a deal was agreed on Tuesday, 6 August.
Man City signed Julián Alvarez for less than $18m in 2022. In two years he's won…
Premier League🏆🏆 Champions League 🏆 Club World Cup 🏆 UEFA Super Cup 🏆 FA Cup 🏆
According to multiple outlets, the 11-time La Liga Champions are expected to pay Man City £81.5 million to secure the services of Álvarez, who has largely found himself the second striker in line behind Erling Haaland and a squad player under Pep Guardiola.
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If fully finalised, this would be a landmark deal for City, surpassing the previous record fee of £50m that was paid by Chelsea for Raheem Sterling back in 2022.
While personal terms are still yet to be agreed upon, it is thought the deal will be for a five-year contract and also include stipulations regarding image rights.
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It was unclear how much of the previous talk about his minutes was merely posturing in an effort to become a more regular starter and how wantaway the forward was, but with a World Cup and Copa America already to his name, it looks as though Madrid saw their opportunity and have seized it.
The treble-winner, who has already won six trophies with the Blues alone, was signed for just £14m back in 2022 and will be moved on to the tune of £68 in profit.
Álvarez only signed a new contract with the club back in March 2023 that would have seen him stay until 2028, and Pep did respond to his comments last month saying that, essentially, the ball was in his court.
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Nevertheless, it seems the wantaway serial winner will soon be wearing white and red stripes, not to mention back in a primarily Spanish-speaking setting and under the tutelage of a fellow countryman in long-serving manager Diego Simeone.
The former River Plate did insist that he was happy at the club and would simply like to be involved in more big game moments rather than coming off the bench and being rotated in other competitions, but there’s no doubt he will be leading the line for Atlético.
What are your thoughts then, City fans – sad to see him go, not too fussed, simply wish him the best, or somewhere in between?
Dame Sarah Storey is going on Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Danny Jones
Record-breaking local athlete and Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, is set to become the latest to join the Strictly Come Dancing annals.
With the Strictly cast for 2026 steadily being unveiled, we always keep an eye out for the Greater Manchester names in particular.
That being said, we’re buzzing to see the hugely successful Stockport swimmer turned cyclist will be swapping her Team GB kit for sparkly, sequined ballroom gowns and an entirely different type of sport and fitness.
Announced on Friday, 17 July, Storey is the seventh celebrity to be confirmed for the 24th series of the hit BBC show and dancing competition.
Having represented her country not only at nine Paralympics but across two different disciplines after switching to the racing bike back in 2005, she’s our most decorated competitor in the entire history of the Games with 30 medals to her name – 19 of which are gold.
Absolute GOAT levels.
But now the Cheadle Hulme-born is once again set to show her versatility to see how she fares on the dance floor later this year.
Commenting ahead of the new-look season which starts this September, the 48-year-old said: “Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.
“I have always loved watching Strictly, and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world is incredibly motivating! I can’t wait to get started!”
This latest sea-change comes not long after the local legend and sporting icon officially announced her retirement from professional sport more than three decades on from first bursting onto the scene.
Thank you for taking the time to leave all the incredible messages. It’s so wonderful to read them and thank you for being the greatest supporters 🥰
— Dame Sarah Storey (@DameSarahStorey) July 9, 2026
What a career she’s had; it obviously didn’t take her long to get tired of sitting still for once, either.
She will be joined by the likes of Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer and Will Best.
In case you missed it, the upcoming edition of Strictly Come Dancing will be the first since Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and pro dancer Johannes Radebe stepping in as replacements.
In other starring Stockport news, we’ve finally got more info on the final season of a popular programme filmed in the area. Find out more down below.
Oasis’ Wonderwall on the brink of becoming UK number one for first time ever 30 years after initial release
Emily Sergeant
Could Wonderwall FINALLY become UK number one for the first time ever?
England may no longer be in the running to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being knocked out in the Semi Finals by Argentina, who claimed a 2-1 win when the two teams faced off in Atlanta on Wednesday night (15 July), but it looks like that hasn’t harmed Wonderwall’s trajectory to the top of the Official UK Charts.
Oasis’ most-streamed song of all time – and arguably their most famous – is currently sitting right at the top of Spotify’s Global charts, meaning it is in the race to become the official UK number one later today.
Despite the fact it never reached number one when it was first released back in 1996 as part of the band’s second studio album, (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?, the song has always had such cultural significance here in Manchester.
But after being adopted by the fans of the England men’s national football team during this World Cup, and belted out after every Three Lions victory this tournament, the song has taken on a whole new life.
Wonderwall was described at the time by the band’s lead guitarist and songwriter, Noel Gallagher, as being about ‘an imaginary friend who’s gonna come and save you from yourself’ – with the song’s title inspired by George Harrison’s solo album Wonderwall Music.
Sure, it has nothing to do with football (but neither did Sweet Caroline, let’s be real), but it’s an absolute anthem and one that’s become a symbol this year for the belief that football may have just been coming home after 60 years.
Win or lose, Wonderwall remains.
Unfortunately, while Wonderwall is in pole position as it stands, it’s up against some fierce footballing competition with the likes of Baddiel, Skinner & Lightning Seeds’ enduring anthem, Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home), hot on its heals.
Standing between both of them – and chart glory – is, of course, Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s record-breaking duet, Rein Me In, which looks to retain the top spot as it eyes a 17th non-consecutive week at the summit.
It’s also expected that The Beatles’ iconic 1968 hit, Hey Jude, will also find its way into the Top 40 in honour of the tournament’s star player Jude Bellingham.
So, will Wonderwall reign supreme then? Will the Gallagher brothers have another reason to celebrate tonight after the success of last year’s historic Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour? We’ll have to wait and see.
You can tune into the Official Chart Show on BBC Radio 1 from 4pm today.
Danny Jones -
6th August 2024 
