Manchester City star Julian Alvarez has been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid – and a journalist has now shared what the Spanish club asked about the Argentine.
It was suggested on Tuesday that Alvarez is now a target for Diego Simeone’s side, who came fourth in La Liga in 2023/24.
Alvarez made the most appearances for Manchester City out of any other player last season, featuring particularly heavily in the first half of the season when Kevin De Bruyne was injured.
The return of De Bruyne and also Erling Haaland saw him take up more of a bench role towards the end, with Phil Foden’s form also keeping him out of the starting XI.
So Alvarez has been an important player for City, but Atletico Madrid have now been linked, and a journalist has shared the nature of their inquiry over the player…
Atletico Madrid checked the possibility of signing Julian Alvarez on loan with buy option
This transfer link has come fairly out of the blue.
Alvarez was very important last season for Manchester City, and is versatile enough to play in several different positions.
Previously, journalist Fabrizio Romano actually gave a guarantee that nothing was happening with the South American. But just a week on from hos comments, there is now word of interest from Atletico.
But it doesn’t seem at all likely that a deal will happen.
According to TyC Sports journalist Gaston Edul, Atleti’s interest in Alvarez is ‘real’, and the club even enquired about taking him on loan with a buy option at the end of the 2024/24 season.
They also checked whether he would be available for a permanent transfer.
Edul wrote on X: “Atlético de Madrid’s interest in Julián Álvarez is true. They found out if a sale or loan with a premium is possible. It is very unlikely that he will leave Manchester City in this market due to the club’s will. Almost impossible.”
Apparently, Atleti’s current Argentine contingent – Rodrigo De Paul, Nahuel Molina and Angel Correa – have made the club’s interest to Alvarez known.
Atletico surely have no chance
Atleti’s interest in Alvarez may be ‘real’, but there is surely next to no chance that they sign him this summer. And it is borderline comical that they sought to find out if City would be willing to let Alvarez go out on loan initially.
Alvarez is a key squad player for City. He is capable of playing several positions, and is a fantastic back-up for Haaland when the Norwegian is unavailable.
Since signing for the club, Alvarez has scored 36 goals and made 18 assists in 103 appearances, which is a great return considering he’s made quite a few mere cameos.
The £100,000-a-week star has had a strong first couple of years at the Etihad and the feeling is that he can continue to improve ahead of his peak which won’t come for another few years yet.
Atleti may well come in with a big bid, but it would be astonishing if this particular move came to fruition.