Atlético Madrid agree record fee with Manchester City to sign Julián Álvarez

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Julián Álvarez leaving Man City to Atletico Madrid

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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?

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Featured Images — Julian Alvarez (via Instagram)