Prem side ask Man City for transfer favour as rival suitor’s official questions choice

Julian Alvarez will be joining Manchester City, confirms a director of one of their rival suitors who has questioned the transfer choice.

Alvarez is one of the hottest prospects in South American football right now. Aston Villa tried to sign the River Plate frontman in the summer without success. The calibre of club circling for him has gradually increased in the months since.

Now, Premier League champions Man City are closing in on the signing of the Copa America winner.

Pep Guardiola has given little away, but officials at other clubs are beginning to do so. For instance, Fiorentina sporting director Daniele Prade has now confirmed his side were looking at Alvarez, only to miss out.

But although Prade doesn’t necessarily regret it, he is unsure as to whether Man City is the right destination for the 21-year-old.

“We followed him for a long time,” Prade said (via Sport Witness).

“But there was never a need to take him, and now he has been taken by Manchester City.

“I don’t know if the choice of going to City is the right one for him; given the many champions, it will be difficult to find continuity.”

Man City want River Plate striker Julian Alvarez

Pep Guardiola wants to bring River Plate striker Julian Alvarez to Manchester City

But what Prade may not realise is that City are not planning to integrate Alvarez immediately.

Instead, Ole report that Alvarez is being lined up to join them for the start of the 2023-24 season. Until then, they will be keeping him out on loan.

Wolves want Julian Alvarez loan

That is where an interesting twist has come in. The Argentine source suggest that Wolves have been asking City to let them have Alvarez for 18 months, until he is ready.

But the Premier League outfit look likely to be let down. Instead, City will keep Alvarez on loan at River Plate until the summer, before deciding whether to extend that spell further or bring him to England.

It will depend on River Plate’s progress in the Copa Libertadores. Should they advance past the Round of 16, he will stay there until the end of the calendar year.

Ole have also revealed more specifics of the impending transfer to City. It will cost them around €21.4m (just under £18m).

They could pay a premium to secure his services for the summer, even if River Plate do make it further in the South American showpiece tournament. But instead, City will be waiting until 2023 before calling upon him.

Still, the transfer should become official by the end of the week if they can iron out all the final details.

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