Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has disclosed that young Argentine striker Julian Alvarez expressed a desire for a new experience and was the one who requested to leave the team during the current summer transfer window.
Julian Alvarez, the Argentine striker, is on the verge of embarking on a new journey in the Spanish League, with a move to Atletico Madrid reportedly close for a fee of £81.5 million. This transfer will present a fresh challenge for the 22-year-old Alvarez, who will be working under the guidance of experienced coach Diego Simeone.
Guardiola has confirmed Alvarez's departure to Atletico Madrid. In an interview with the British network "BBC," Guardiola stated, "I am thankful to Julian Alvarez. We achieved everything together here, and it was an incredible journey. I admired his attitude, but he wants to leave and face a new challenge. Atletico Madrid is a significant club in Spain and Europe. His departure is saddening, but imagine him staying with us when he doesn't want to. We reached an agreement, and both clubs are satisfied. I wish Julian all the best in the future."
He further added, "Regarding the signing of a replacement player, we are still considering our options. We are evaluating the situation daily and discussing the available choices. At this moment, I cannot confirm anything about bringing in a new player."
According to the source, Julian Alvarez will not earn more than what he was receiving at Manchester City, but the assurance of being a key player in Atletico Madrid's new system under his fellow countryman Diego Simeone, along with the opportunity to fully benefit from image rights revenues, will be a significant step forward for him, both in terms of his career and finances.
The young player recently won the Copa America 2024 title with the Argentina national team, where he played in six matches and scored two goals. However, his frequent complaints about being a substitute led Manchester City to consider the possibility of letting him go.
It is noteworthy that Julian Alvarez played 54 matches for Manchester City across various competitions, scoring 19 goals and providing 13 assists, totaling 3,481 minutes of playing time.