Julian Alvarez, the £14 million Manchester City player from Argentina, is reportedly unhappy with his current situation at the club. He aspires to be a regular starter and a key player in the team, but at the moment, he finds himself in the shadow of Erling Haaland.
According to reports from SPORT in Spain, both Real Madrid and Barcelona have expressed their interest in Alvarez and have initiated conversations with his representatives. They see an opportunity to bring the 23-year-old talent to their respective teams.
However, Alvarez seems to be taking a patient approach to his situation. He’s willing to wait until the end of the 2023/24 season before making any demands or causing any disruptions. This approach allows him to assess how his circumstances at Manchester City evolve over the next year.
Barcelona, in particular, is said to be interested in Alvarez, but their ability to secure a deal might depend on their capacity to make a significant sale to generate the necessary funds. It’s clear that Alvarez’s potential move is contingent on several factors and could be a focal point of the transfer market in the coming seasons.
This situation with Alvarez is not the only issue facing Manchester City. Kalvin Phillips, another player at the club, is also reportedly evaluating his future. Phillips is concerned about his playing time, especially after being overlooked by manager Pep Guardiola in the absence of Rodri.
Guardiola has a history of not wanting to retain discontented players. He believes that players who are unhappy are unlikely to perform at their best. This was evident when players like Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Raheem Sterling left the club in the past. Guardiola stated, “If you force one person to stay when he doesn’t want to stay, how can you get the best out of him? It’s not possible.”
With this in mind, if Julian Alvarez remains dissatisfied and continues to be in the shadow of Erling Haaland, Guardiola might be open to allowing him to depart from Manchester City. The 2023/24 season could be a critical period for Alvarez to determine his future.
In conclusion, Julian Alvarez’s dissatisfaction at Manchester City has piqued the interest of top clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona. He is willing to wait until the end of the 2023/24 season to assess his situation, but it’s clear that he desires a more prominent role within the team. His potential departure could hinge on multiple factors, including the financial capability of interested clubs like Barcelona. Additionally, the situation with Alvarez is not unique, as Kalvin Phillips is also considering his future at Manchester City due to concerns about his playing time. Guardiola’s stance on unhappy players suggests that Alvarez may have the opportunity to leave if his concerns persist. The upcoming season will likely be crucial in determining the trajectory of these two players’ careers at Manchester City.