Alvarez joins Atletico from Man City

Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez has completed his much anticipated move to Atletico Madrid in a deal worth up to 85 million euros ($93 million). Atletico announced the signing, stating in a statement that the Argentine forward had signed a six-year deal with the Spanish club. According to reports from Spain, Atletico will pay 75 million euros upfront with a further 10 million euros on the card.

Alvarez was aged 24 years and had arrived from Manchester City in January 2022 for an amount of £14 million. At the City of Manchester, he won two Premier League and Champions League titles. On the international scene, he played a pivotal role for Argentina, helping lift the Copa America in 2021 and 2024 beside the World Cup held in December 2022.

Reflecting on his time at City, Alvarez expressed his gratitude and emotions: “I can only say many things,” he told the club’s website. “Today I say goodbye to this great club with a great deal of emotion. These two years were very special. I’ve learned a lot as a player and person.”

Alvarez departs City having scored 36 goals in 103 outings in all competitions. City boss Pep Guardiola acknowledged the forward’s desire to take up a new challenge last week in speaking about the player: “He’s incredibly loved by the team for the way he behaves but, as I said many times for many players, he wants to leave and have a new challenge.”

Atletico Madrid, who finished fourth last season in La Liga, have been a little rampant this summer, having brought in a few colts, among them Robin Le Normand and Alexander Sorloth. These are sure to reinvigorate Atletico, which will now look to try and fight tooth and nail with Real Madrid and Barcelona this new season. Atletico shall open their campaign on 19 August at home with Villarreal.