Argentina striker Julian Alvarez has bid an emotional farewell to Manchester City as he completes a record-breaking transfer to Atletico Madrid. The 24-year-old World Cup winner has signed a six-year deal with the Spanish side, who will pay an initial £64.4 million (€75 million) with a further £17.1 million (€20 million) in potential add-ons.
The total £81.5 million fee marks the highest sale in Man City’s history, surpassing the £50 million received from west London club Chelsea for Raheem Sterling in 2022.
Alvarez joined City from River Plate for £14.1 million in January 2022 and quickly established himself as a key player under Pep Guardiola. During his two-year stay at the Etihad, Alvarez won six major trophies, including a historic treble in his debut season. The striker also played a crucial role in Argentina’s World Cup-winning campaign in Qatar 2022.
Reflecting on his time at City, Alvarez expressed his deep gratitude and affection for the club. “Today I say goodbye to this amazing club, with a lot of emotion,” he said. “These have been two very special years. During this time, I have grown and learned a lot—both as a player and as a person. City will always have a special place in my heart.”
Alvarez leaves Manchester with an impressive record of 36 goals in 106 appearances. His departure marks the end of a successful chapter in his career, but City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, is confident that Alvarez’s best years are still ahead of him.
“The trophies he has won already tell their own story—he is a winner,” said Begiristain. “I look forward to watching him develop further in the remainder of his career.”
As Manchester City prepares to begin their Premier League campaign with a trip to Chelsea on Sunday, Atletico Madrid will kick off their La Liga season on August 19 with a visit to Villarreal. Alvarez’s move to Atletico is expected to bolster Diego Simeone’s attacking options as the Spanish side aims to challenge for domestic and European honours.
City fans will undoubtedly miss the dynamic forward, but Alvarez’s legacy at the club is secure. His contributions on the pitch and his humble demeanour off it have made him a fan favourite, and the blue half of Manchester will closely follow his success with Rojiblancos.
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