The latest Julian Alvarez transfer fee is quoted at £80m. It's set to rise, meaning that it could be now or never for the likes of Real Madrid to scoop him up.
FootballInsider report that though City are ‘confident’ of keeping Alvarez around, a fee upwards of £80m could make them reconsider. Since his arrival at City, Alvarez has scored 24 goals and notched up eight assists in just 35 starts. He is averaging a goal contribution every 112 minutes, and has proven to be an intelligent and powerful finisher, sending his stock soaring over the past few months.
Julian Alvarez transfer fee – How good is Alvarez?
Alvarez’s arrival at City from River Plate, at the tender age of 22, was relatively unheralded. The Argentine attacker had a mighty impressive record at his boyhood club, but his transfer flew under the radar on account of Manchester City’s pursuit of Erling Haaland.
Suffice to say, Alvarez has grabbed every football supporter’s attention since. Four goals in Argentina’s triumphant 2022 World Cup campaign grew his sense of eminence substantially, but he has also impressed in a Manchester City shirt.
Alvarez is technically superb, often finding gaps in the goalkeeper’s reach, or taking his shot early to catch them out, just like City hero of old Sergio Aguero. He has an excellent understanding of space, and finds holes in opposition defensive lines to occupy or burst into.
But Alvarez is more than a goalscorer. In the absence of Kevin de Bruyne due to injury at the start of this season, he has been pulling the strings in a number ten role behind Erling Haaland. His form has gone up another level. He has scored four and set up three in just nine Premier League appearances.
He is physically sound too. Strong and fast enough to cause defenders headaches, but nimble enough to evade pressure in midfield too. He also possesses the tenacity and determination to press well and not be a liability off the ball.
Could a Julian Alvarez transfer to Real Madrid happen?
For all of Alvarez’ hard work and elite performance levels since arriving at The Etihad, there is a rather large Norwegian obstacle in his path to being City’s top marksman: Erling Haaland.
Haaland has averaged well over a goal per game since arriving from Borussia Dortmund. To make matters worse, the Norwegian is actually a little younger than Alvarez, making it unlikely he could supersede him any time soon.
Alvarez's potential desire to be that top striker for an elite club will likely be the driving force behind any future move to Spain.
If he decides he would like to leave to achieve that, it is likely Manchester City would respect his wishes, provided they receive a handsome fee for his departure.
One need only look at one of City’s previous utility attackers, Ferran Torres, to see how City do not keep players against their will. Torres averaged an impressive 0.7 goals and assists per 90 minutes across his City career, but they still allowed him to leave, having turned a healthy profit.
