Manchester City are set to retain striker Julian Alvarez despite interest from Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.
The 23-year-old has scored four goals and provided three assists in nine Premier League games.
Alvarez started behind Erling Haaland when Brighton & Hove Albion traveled to the Etihad on Saturday, with the forward scoring for his side after seven minutes.
The forward, who won the World Cup with Argentina in Qatar last year, has plenty of international experience despite his young age.
According to Football Insider, Manchester City are confident of keeping Alvarez until the end of the season, despite interest from Europe’s biggest clubs.
The report claims the Argentine has La Liga suitors with Real Madrid and Barcelona keen to bring the 23-year-old to the Bernabeu and Camp Nou in 2024 respectively.
Both Barça and Los Blancos are said to be in talks with Manchester City over a possible transfer, but the Citizens are in no rush to sell the player.
Last March, Alvarez signed a new contract in Manchester, extending his contract with Pep Guardiola’s treble side until the summer of 2028.
This means the Premier League champions could reach an agreement in potential talks.
The former River Plate man has become even more important for the Citizens this season in the absence of mastermind Kevin De Bruyne.
The Belgium international is currently sidelined after picking up an injury in the opening day win over promotion winners Burnley and the playmaker is expected to return in the new year.
Alvarez has scored 24 goals in 63 games since moving from his native country in the summer of 2022 and helped Manchester City win the Champions League in his first game in England.
13-time European champions Real are said to be interested in the forward, while Los Blancos are looking for a player who can share the goals with England’s Jude Bellingham.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side scored 23 goals in 10 games on their way to the summit of La Liga, with former Borussia Dortmund man Bellingham scoring eight goals in the competition.
Alvarez and his City teammates will be looking to regain their Premier League status when they travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Sunday.
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