Julian Alvarez’s Surprise Departure: What Pep Guardiola Revealed in Private Talks
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has lifted the lid on Julian Alvarez’s shock decision to join Atletico Madrid, revealing that the Argentine forward told him he needed a new challenge.
The 24-year-old is set to become the La Liga club’s record signing after City accepted an offer worth £81.5 million, making him the club’s record sale. Alvarez will reportedly fly to Madrid on Sunday to undergo a medical on Monday and sign a five-year contract.
Despite playing a key role in City’s historic treble-winning 2022-23 campaign, Alvarez often found himself pushed out of the starting XI for the biggest games by Erling Haaland. According to Guardiola, Alvarez told him he wanted a new challenge and was willing to leave the club to achieve it.
"I said to the club many times, at the end the club has the end decision. But I say that contracts can be broken, if you are not happy why should you be here?" Guardiola said. "He believes his period here must be over so OK, both clubs arrived at an agreement and that’s all."
The City manager praised Alvarez for his huge contribution to the team in just two seasons, saying: "I want to say my gratitude for Julian, we won everything, his contribution has been massive. He was incredibly loved by the team for his behaviour but if he wants to leave, a new challenge – Atletico is a top club – then if you want to leave it’s OK. We wish him the best. I learned a lot from him, hopefully he can find what he was looking for."
Why Did Alvarez Choose Atletico Madrid?
Atletico Madrid has a rich history of developing young talent and has a strong squad, which may have appealed to Alvarez. The club has also been linked with a number of high-profile signings in recent windows, suggesting that they are willing to invest in their team.
Additionally, Atletico Madrid has a strong rivalry with Barcelona, which could provide Alvarez with the challenge he is looking for. The Argentine forward has already played in some big games during his time at City, but the intensity and pressure of the El Clásico rivalry may be exactly what he needs to take his career to the next level.
What Does This Mean for City?
While City will make a healthy profit on Alvarez, his departure is a significant blow to the team. The Argentine forward has been a key player for the club, and his pace and movement have caused problems for opponents.
However, City has a deep squad and has already made significant investments in their attack this summer. The arrival of Erling Haaland has added a new dimension to the team’s attack, and it will be interesting to see how the Norwegian forward adapts to the Premier League.
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