Manchester City are set for a big summer – and journalist Fabrizio Romano has today delivered some encouraging news about one star who played a big part in 2023/24.
City have won the Premier League again, and could potentially scoop the FA Cup on Saturday as they face rivals Manchester United in the final.
Doing the Double would be a fantastic achievement just one year after doing the Treble – but there is no doubt that City will look to strengthen regardless this summer.
Rival clubs are going to try and bridge the gap to City once again. And it’s important for the club to stay ahead of the chasing pack.
Possibly, we could be seeing one or two big departures, with Bernardo Silva again being linked with an exit. Goalkeepers Ederson and Stefan Ortega have also both been linked with moves away, and it’s expected one of them will go.
One man who looks like he definitely won’t be going anywhere though is Julian Alvarez…
Fabrizio Romano gives confident verdict on Manchester City star Julian Alvarez ahead of summer window
Alvarez played a lot of football in 2023/24 for City, benefitting from the injuries to Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland.
The Argentina international was the replacement for the Belgian when he sustained that serious hamstring injury. And when Haaland joined De Bruyne on the sidelines, he led the line with Phil Foden operating just behind.
It was a pretty productive season for the South American.
Ahead of the FA Cup final, he has made 53 appearances, scoring 19 goals and providing 13 assists. Those are some very good numbers.
He came in for a bit of criticism around midway through the season when he lacked influence playing in a deeper role, and when he struggled out wide. But Alvarez – described earlier this season as ‘outstanding’ by Shaka Hislop – made some important contributions, and it looks like he will almost certainly be a City player again next season.
Fabrizio Romano said in a video for JD Football: “Today, nothing is happening. Everything is quiet, City are super happy with him. He’s not creating any problems.
“He’s a fantastic guy, not just a fantastic player, never creating an issue.
“But you know how the market is. If we enter into August and some big clubs are still looking for a big striker, they might tempt Man City with a big proposal. At the moment it’s really quiet and I can guarantee that nothing is happening. He also extended his contract last year.”
Good news, Alvarez is a key squad member
It is great to hear that there seems to be no chance of Alvarez going anywhere else this summer.
The £14 million ace had a brilliant season in 2023/24, especially in the first half. He may not be as clinical as Erling Haaland, but the World Cup winner brings a lot in terms of creativity, and can also play as a second striker which can be handy.
Haaland did have injury problems this season and it’s important to have someone like Alvarez ready to come in and replace him directly. We have also seen them play together on occasion.
Anything can happen in football and as Romano says, a huge club may well try and test City’s resolve over Alvarez this summer.
But an exit for him this summer definitely doesn’t seem at all likely at this moment in time. He’s been a super signing, and him departing after just two years would be a major shock.