06/08/2024 13:30hs.
There are still some details missing, but so much progress has been made in the negotiations that neither side believes that the transfer could fall through at this point. Barring any last-minute unforeseen events, Julián Álvarez will become a new Atlético de Madrid player in the next few days. And it will transform, in turn, into the most expensive transfer in Manchester City’s history. Between the value of the transfer and the variables for objectives, the English club will receive around 80 million euros by the Argentine striker. World bomb.
From Manchester to Madrid
A month and a half ago there was the first survey. From the Spanish club, and at the express request of Diego Simeone, they asked about the value of the transfer of Julian Alvarez. At City they were blunt with their response: 70 million euros for 100% of his salary plus around 20 million more in bonuses (objectives to achieve at his new club). Too much for Atleti’s treasury and budget.
At the same time that the first back-and-forth between the clubs was taking place, doubts were beginning to grow in the mind of the striker who won the World Cup in Qatar regarding his permanence at City. Beyond feeling comfortable at the club, there were two issues that made him think about looking for a way out. On the one hand, a football theme: Erling Haaland’s permanence foreshadowed a new season in which he would not be a starter. On the other hand, a family matter: His parents and siblings are going to settle in Madrid after having lived the last two years in Manchester, where their residence permit has already expired. The fact that Atleti’s interest arose just then caused Julián to travel to the Copa América with that possibility latent in his mind.
His last game for City: against United in the FA Cup final on 25 May.
In fact, the former River player had already had his doubts when he rejected the improvement in his contract offered by City three months ago. This is exactly the same amount that the Madrid club will pay him, with whom everything has already been agreed verbally. The contract will be five years and the economic difference will not be in the salary but in what has to do with image rights. At Atlético, it will be 100% his profit. At City, however, it was shared: 75% for Julián and 25% for the club.
But beyond the economic, The 24-year-old is strongly motivated by football. He has chosen a club with lesser sporting ambitions, outside the top five European teams, but which guarantees him continuity as a starter. In recent weeks, he had been approached by Paris Saint Germain and also by Chelsea, with even better salary offers. However, the option of Spain, influenced by family issues, was what ended up prevailing in his decision.
Chelsea’s help in the operation
Now, if the amount requested by City was impossible for Atlético a month and a half ago, why has the situation changed now? The answer is that another operation appeared in the middle that managed to unblock the desire of the Colchonero club. In the last few hours, Chelsea of England agreed to pay the 45 million euros that Atleti was asking for the transfer of the Spaniard Samuel Omorodion. Exactly what the Spanish club needed to make a decisive move to close the deal between Julián and City.
Omorodion y su pase al Chelsea destraban lo de Julián al Atleti.
Gil Marín, owner of Atlético, and Ferran Soriano, CEO of City, have been in contact in the last few hours to fine-tune the last details and close the deal. For the English club, it is a great deal. Two and a half years ago he paid 20 million euros for Julián’s transfer to River. Today he is selling him for 80. And what makes him more valuable is that Julián was not an undisputed starter at City but rather alternated in the first team.
The annoyance that the striker’s statement at the Olympic Games caused Guardiola The question of whether he should think about his future has now been put on the back burner. Pep himself had been the one who had given Julián permission to go to Paris to represent Argentina despite the refusal of those who make decisions at City. And the coach wanted the Argentine to speak with him first before sending that message to the press.
Will City get a reinforcement with the money that comes in for Julián? In principle, it is difficult. To replace Haaland there are options within the squad as a false 9. In fact, the club has lifted several trophies even without a natural centre forward.
As for Atleti, Simeone will have the striker he was looking for, a goalscorer who works for the team by being the first to press the opposition’s exits. Julián, in turn, will be able to add those minutes he wanted and with his family nearby. Apparently, a transfer that closes on all sides.
See also
What did Pep Guardiola say about Julián Álvarez’s possible departure to Atlético de Madrid?
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