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Blockbuster signing as Atletico snags Man City’s Alvarez

Reuters|Published

Manchester City have sold Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid. Picture: Action Images via Reuters, Jason Cairnduff, TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Atletico Madrid have signed Argentine forward Julian Alvarez from Premier League side Manchester City on a six-year contract, the La Liga club said on Monday.

Financial details about the transfer were not disclosed by either club, but British media reported that the deal was worth around €75 million (about R1.495bn) plus €20m (R399m) in potential add-ons.

“I say goodbye to this wonderful club with many emotions. They were two very special years. During this time, I grew and learned a lot as a player and as a person,” Alvarez wrote on Instagram on Monday.

“I will always be very proud to have been part of this family. Manchester City will always have a special place in my heart. I wish you every success in the future and will continue to support the club from wherever I am.”

The 24-year-old Argentina international’s exit marks a record sale price for City, eclipsing the £50m Chelsea paid for winger Raheem Sterling in 2022.

Alvarez joined City from Argentine club River Plate in 2022 for £14m and has scored 36 goals in 103 appearances for manager Pep Guardiola's side.

He has won the Premier League twice and the Uefa Champions League, FA Cup, Super Cup and Club World Cup all once. He also won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina and the Copa America earlier this year.

Atletico manager Diego Simeone had been on the lookout for a centre-forward since Alvaro Morata’s move to AC Milan last month.

Meanwhile, Arsenal will be without defender Takehiro Tomiyasu for the start of their Premier League campaign as the Japan international will be out for weeks with a knee injury, manager Mikel Arteta said on Sunday.

Tomiyasu, 25, was left out of Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the US due to the injury, and was also absent from Sunday’s 2-0 win over Lyon in London.

“I think it will take weeks on that one, unfortunately,” Arteta told reporters of Tomiyasu’s injury. “He’s going to have to be patient and work through it because I think it’s going to take a few weeks.”

Dutch defender Jurrien Timber, who missed most of last season due to an anterior cruciate ligament tear that required surgery, also missed Sunday’s game with a knee injury but is expected to rejoin the first team in the next week, Arteta added.

Arsenal, last season’s runners-up, begin their Premier League campaign on Saturday at home against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Reuters

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Blockbuster signing as Atletico snags Man City’s Alvarez