Manchester City are in talks with River Plate starlet Julian Alvarez over a £21 million move, with sources confident a deal could be confirmed by the end of the January transfer window.
River are keen to hold onto the versatile forward until the summer — a condition that City are expected to agree to — with Alvarez then joining up with City’s first-team squad ahead of the 2022-23 season.
The Argentina international turns 22 on January 31 and has long been expected to secure a move to Europe after his agent travelled to London and then Madrid for talks with a number of clubs.
While many of the continent’s top sides have been tracking the progress of Alvarez with River and his national team, an achievable clause of €25 million (£20.9 million) — with €20m going to the Argentine giants — meant he was always expected to have his pick of suitors.
Aston Villa and Bayer Leverkusen showed interest last summer but the 21-year-old opted to instead bide his time and wait for an opportunity to join a club playing in the Champions League.
Having been a regular in the Argentine Primera, Copa Libertadores and a full Argentina international, Alvarez easily qualifies for a GBE, the replacement for the old work permit system that often made it difficult for Premier League clubs to sign South American youngsters.
Capable of playing all across a front three, Alvarez boasts a technique and versatility that would mesh well with Pep Guardiola’s idea of a forward player.
(Photo: Getty Images)
