For the first time ever, there is no Manchester City summer transfer saga. There is no Harry Kane, Jack Grealish or the huge arrival of Erling Haaland. Six weeks into the transfer window and it is the potential exit of Julian Alvarez that is attracting most of the attention.
Initially, a deal was announced that Chelsea would consider in the early weeks of June, but as Alvarez continues his work with Argentina at the Olympics and enjoyed success at the Copa America, tensions have risen. First Alvarez spoke out and responded to reported conversations about his demands, then Pep Guardiola responded.
“There’s a lot of talk,” Alvarez said. “I’m focused here [at the Olympics] because it is a short tournament. At Manchester City I feel very good, I played a lot of minutes. But we will see after the Games.
“First, if possible, I will take a few days off. Then we will decide. Maybe it is annoying to play in big matches, players always want to help on the pitch. But my season was good, so I am very happy.”
Guardiola, who was aware of the comments, accepted his words. “I know he wants to play important moments, yes,” the Spaniard said during City’s pre-season tour of America. “But the other [do] also. 18, 19 players also want to play the big games. I read that he wants to think about it. Okay, think about it and then he will tell us what he wants to do.”
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Alvarez strongly opposed that. “I heard what Guardiola said,” he told TyC Sports. “I don’t have much to say about it. I never said anything bad. I just said that I would think about it, as I do every season, to make an analysis of what happened last season, a prediction of what might come.
“I always say I feel comfortable and happy at City, a great club. I haven’t said anything bad.” It comes after suggestions Alvarez was frustrated in the run-up to this summer by his lack of playing time in perceived big games. Despite being a top player at national level, he has found it harder to get Champions League minutes.
Always in the shadow of Haaland, and with Kevin De Bruyne returning, Alvarez remains an outsider for a fantastically strong team. This is a player with big trophies coming out of his ears at 24, and over 100 City appearances in two seasons.
Now the problem remains with wider links to Paris Saint-Germain. It is claimed that Luis Enrique’s side will turn to the City man if a deal for Victor Osimhen is not feasible. Enrique is also described as a big fan of Alvarez, with talks continuing for their primary target.
Here, MEN Sports writers give their verdict on what is shaping up to be a transfer saga for City, but not the kind they have been used to in recent years.
Joe Bray
Let’s get to the bottom of what Alvarez said. The black-and-white quotes seem a little inflammatory, with the Argentine saying he wants to play more of the bigger games. Guardiola saw that, and you could have cut the tension in the press conference room in Orlando with a knife as the boss sternly told him to think about his future, and to let the club know when he’s finished thinking.
But then a video emerged that seemed to provide a bit more context, albeit with a slightly different translation of the comments. Alvarez was calmer, but still said he would think about his position. Following Guardiola’s comments, Alvarez attempted to clarify his position and defuse the situation – but crucially, he stopped short of saying he would stay permanently.
City obviously want him to stay and he proved his worth by covering both number nine and number ten last season. Of course he wants to play the bigger games but no player played more than he did last season and he needs to prove to Guardiola that he should start ahead of Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland. Or find a way to play in a system with both.
And if he wants to leave, the ball is firmly in City’s court. A contract until 2028 gives Alvarez no leverage, so he needs to convince someone to pay enough to make City sell. A young, versatile World Cup winner, who is a proven goalscorer and creative player, won’t come cheap. Alvarez may have no choice but to deal with the situation and not make it worse.
Tom Coley
City cannot afford to let this relationship deteriorate and escalate into a full-blown falling out, because they are well on their way to it. There are signs that Alvarez and Guardiola simply do not see eye to eye, even at a distance, and that is causing problems.
It seems unlikely that it will get to the point where a sale is approved, but these things can escalate. It means that if a bid were to be made at this stage by Chelsea (or any of the other teams linked such as PSG and even Arsenal), it would certainly be something to consider.
Alvarez is such a valuable player that anything below £60m isn’t worth considering, but anything more than that and there’s a conversation to be had. City are investing in a frontline for the future and while Alvarez has a place in that if he stays, the club will be putting themselves in the position of getting a quality replacement without losing too much on the pitch straight away.
Things just need to be ironed out between both parties and then they can move on to bigger and better things. There is too much promise and potential, let alone real benefit from keeping Alvarez to let this petty squabble escalate and be ruined by these comments and sentiments. City can offer him the level of football he wants, now is the time for him to go and get it.
Isaac Seelochan
City will need another option up front next season, especially after Haaland missed so much of last season through injury. It is understood that when Guardiola is fully fit and in form, he will start only Haaland.
And while it must be frustrating for Alvarez to be sidelined so often, he must realise that he will get his chances to play and start next season. It will be extremely difficult for City to find a player this summer who comes close to Alvarez’s ability and who is not a regular in every game.
The comments Alvarez made in response to Guardiola should not be too much of a concern. Unless their relationship has completely broken down, which I doubt, the Argentine should remain at City, where he can still play a key role in their future success.
Kieran Hoorn
Given what he has achieved in such a short time, it is perhaps no surprise that Alvarez is evaluating his options. With another Copa America title under his belt and an Olympic gold medal in his sights, Alvarez has undoubtedly gone from team player to star player.
As his contributions in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne and Haaland have shown, Alvarez clearly doesn’t want to play second fiddle anymore. Also considering how Cole Palmer has become the man It is clear to Chelsea that the Argentine international wants that.
However, he is under contract until 2028, putting City in a strong position to keep him or demand a significant fee for his departure. In addition, the reigning Premier League champions regularly reach the final stages of each competition, making quality squad depth important.
With that in mind, Alvarez clearly still has a crucial role to play at the Etihad Stadium and should stay for at least another season. The moves are likely to be aimed at securing a new top-tier contract or increasing interest in future transfers.
Bruna Travel
It is always going to be difficult for a player to play regularly when they are competing with Haaland, so Alvarez’s decision to assess his options this summer comes as no surprise. His excellent performances in the Copa America for Argentina are said to have attracted the attention of potential suitors and he will have no shortage of options should he decide to leave the Etihad in the current transfer window.
However, if he does leave, City could be at risk if they sign another attacker, as they are not certain to adapt quickly to the demands of the Premier League. In 54 games in all competitions last season, Alvarez scored 32 goals – highlighting just how influential he can be on the pitch.
If he stays at City for at least another season, it could increase interest in another club and increase the chances of him joining another big club next summer.
Kieran King
Having played second fiddle to Haaland at City since arriving from River Plate two years ago, it’s no surprise that Alvarez is weighing up his options. In my opinion, the 24-year-old is one of the most underrated attackers in the Premier League, and his record bears that out.
Alvarez has scored 36 goals and added 18 assists in 103 games for City. That’s just over a goal contribution every two games. It’s no surprise that – given he was used primarily as a squad player, particularly towards the end of last season – there are reports suggesting Alvarez could leave City.
However, City should do everything they can to keep the Argentine on board as he could once again prove vital in their bid for the Champions League and a fifth successive Premier League title. As for Alvarez, he should consider seeking more regular minutes if City can’t guarantee that.
Isaac Johnson
Guardiola has never stood in the way of a player wanting to leave, although Alvarez has not explicitly said so. But it seems unlikely he will outshine Haaland any time soon and a player of his quality should be guaranteed minutes.
Alvarez has won everything at Manchester City – and Argentina – but is still second choice at this club. Now 24, there is little reason to argue that he would benefit – on a personal level – from staying at the Etihad.
As for a possible replacement, Guardiola won’t be worried. He once won a league title without a striker, but now has the unstoppable Haaland. Should Alvarez force his exit, a replacement will still be sought, but that wouldn’t be a major cause for concern for fans.