Julian Alvarez may not be Manchester City’s biggest star, but in the long run, he could become the most important.
Man City fans may not want to consider this possibility, but Kevin De Bruyne has now turned 30 and cannot continue to produce world-class performances forever.
While there remains a lingering uncertainty over Erling Haaland’s long-term commitment to the club. Alvarez offers a potential solution to both problems.
He has excellently completed the task of supporting the central striker when De Bruyne is absent due to an injury that will keep the Binh player out of action for many months, and he is also a player with the ability to score goals at any time. Tell what role you are assigned to.
That latter fact became clearer when he led City to a comeback against Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday in the first match of their defense of the Champions League throne to win 3-1.
While questions will certainly be raised about the goalkeeper for Alvarez’s second goal, a free-kick from the left that would have been comfortably taken by the away goalkeeper, the quality of the finish was His performance in the opening goal is beyond doubt.
Man City are not usually the team that makes transfer bargains, but with Alvarez, they certainly did.
Signed for just €21m from River Plate in 2022 before being immediately sent back on loan to the Argentine club, the 23-year-old does not feature in the top 25 most expensive players of all time of Man City – and he is not even close to that price in this top 25.
Indeed, compatriot Sergio Aguero, who signed a decade before Alvarez, has proven to cost at least 40 million euros – almost double that of Alvarez.
City’s goal is not necessarily to profit from their players, but Alvarez, if sold, will leave for a much higher price than when he arrived. His expected transfer value (xTV) stands at 40 million euros and will increase again in October after the conclusion of much-deserved additional playing time.
He has been linked with Real Madrid as a possible replacement for Kylian Mbappé next summer, but this is a player who it increasingly looks like City will hold on tight.
Alvarez’s performance is making it difficult for Pep Guardiola. He deserves more playing time, but how can he play regularly when both Haaland and De Bruyne are available?
That is a problem that Man City’s captain will have to face in the near future.
