Possible Departure of Julian Alvarez: Opportunities and Challenges for Manchester City

The potential departure of Julian Alvarez raises interesting questions for Manchester City, especially in a comparatively quiet transfer summer. According to reports from The Athletic, Atletico Madrid is increasingly confident in closing a deal and willing to pay more than five times the £14 million (€16 million) that City paid River Plate in 2022. Last season, only three outfield players played more Premier League minutes than Alvarez, yet many of these appearances came when either Kevin De Bruyne or Erling Haaland were injured. Alvarez is aware that with a fit De Bruyne and Haaland, he will primarily be on the bench. Having exceeded expectations since his move to the Etihad Stadium, a departure seems like a logical consequence. For a long-term stay at City, Alvarez would either have to surpass Haaland or accept a subordinate role. Alvarez has shown remarkable versatility, but he still has higher-performing players ahead of him, and a supporting role no longer seems to fit his plans. His ability to replace both Haaland and De Bruyne sets him apart – a task that is not easy. Interestingly, while Alvarez is not a natural playmaker, he was still able to fill the number 10 role in his own way, with less creativity but greater goal threat. Even when Haaland was injured around Christmas and New Year, Alvarez played a crucial role in the attack. Pep Guardiola had to creatively solve injury issues last season. Haaland’s injury brought the obvious solution: using Alvarez as a false nine to restore balance in the team. However, later in the season, Alvarez could not have the same impact as Haaland. Alvarez's versatility and quality fit perfectly with City – as long as he is willing to accept a supporting role. With young players like Phil Foden recommending themselves for central positions, and new signings Savinho and Oscar Bobb for the right-wing position, City seems well-positioned. The 21-year-old James McAtee, returning after two loan seasons at Sheffield United, could also benefit from an Alvarez departure and take on a larger role in the team. While City might enter the transfer market for an international replacement for Alvarez, discussions are still ongoing. Reportedly, Joao Felix was offered as part of a swap deal, but City did not pursue it further. A signing of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace also seems off the table. City could invigorate roster development, although they are generally satisfied with their squad composition. The need for a defensive midfielder to complement Rodri has been identified, with Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle being a candidate, although his valuation did not match City’s expectations. Thus, an Alvarez departure could create room for a new player without significantly disrupting the team's balance. Matheus Nunes and Kalvin Phillips continue to offer options for the defensive midfield, although neither can independently take over Rodri’s role. Overall, the potential transfer of Alvarez provides several opportunities, and while City seems content with the current squad, there are still chances to explore new approaches.