Manchester City’s failure to replace Sergio Aguero over the summer hasn’t hampered their title defence as they sit nine points clear atop of the Premier League table with 15 games remaining, but Pep Guardiola has been looking to bring in a striker.
Julian Alvarez was on City’s radar and Fabrizio Romano confirmed a deal has been agreed that will see the 21-year-old move to the Etihad Stadium this summer. Alvarez will set City back €18.5m (£15.4m) and will spend the rest of the season on loan at former club River Plate before making the switch.
The Argentine international has scored 36 goals with 25 assists from 96 games for River, winning the Liga Profesional, Copa Libertadores, Argentina Cup and Sudamericana, so fans on social media are very excited about the move.
The City Argentine tradition continues 🇦🇷
— Tommy (@fanatic_city) January 25, 2022
Welcome to the best team in the World💙💙💙💙
— Nicklas Andreasen (@NicklasAndrea13) January 25, 2022
This guy is a baller, complete Manchester City type of player, very skilful and not type of sticker that just stay infront waiting for others to work for him, his link up play is top notch👌 very warm welcome Alvarez 👏👏👏#mancity
— Seun™ 🇬🇧 (@john_asojo) January 25, 2022
Welcome to City 👑 pic.twitter.com/APQv1b0w5r
— ¹⁰ (@SxrgioSZN) January 25, 2022
Let's go 💙 🕸️🕷️ pic.twitter.com/WKPYjbyfdL
— 💙 (@Kafkaesque_10) January 25, 2022
The next @aguerosergiokun 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼 🕷
— Mina Bonino (@Minabonino) January 26, 2022
JULIAN ALVAREZ MIGHT BRING BACK ARGENTINIAN GREATNESS TO MAN CITY pic.twitter.com/uoSLFbHNd4
— Jakes (@MCFCJakes) January 25, 2022
🕷 Oh we are ready…🤤
— City Chief (@City_Chief) January 25, 2022
you absolutely love to see it pic.twitter.com/qMUN9CccTH
— 𝓛𝓮𝓮🍊 (@IeeSZN) January 25, 2022
In 2020/21, Alvarez scored 24 goals with 15 assists in 46 games with River, so City are getting their hands on a real talent without paying a premium. And the 21-year-old can still improve under Guardiola which means the sky is the limit.
Whether Alvarez can emulate Aguero remains to be seen, but he’s shown he has great potential.
In other news, Man City suffer another blow as 21 y/o agrees deal to join Juventus