Last season, Julian Alvarez was shaping up to be a future star for Manchester City but in a major shocker, the club has decided to sell him off to Atletico Madrid in a major transfer.
Once again, Pep Guardiola has shown that no one is indispensable in his squad and after getting rid of the Argentine, the MCFC manager is now focusing on signing an ideal replacement.
The reigning Premier League champions are set to bring in around €95 million from Alvarez’s move to Spain so they can go after all sorts of high-value players within the next couple of weeks.
Fabrizio Romano has said: “Man City will now look at options to replace Alvarez, for sure. It could be a striker, but I would not be surprised if they end up considering also wingers and maybe playing with a false nine when Erling Haaland will not be available.
“Talks are taking place internally to decide on the next move, so we will have to wait and see the outcome of those discussions.”
Currently, three names are being constantly linked with MCFC so we chose to take a lot at what are the odds for each one of them to replace Julian Alvarez.
Pedro Neto – Wolves:
Neto might be a right-winger but the Wolves man can very easily play in the No 10 role and also as a striker, so it makes sense why Man City are interested in him, that’s according to a report in The Telegraph, as quoted by GMS.
Wolves are ready to cash in on him this summer but City will have to battle Tottenham Hotspur who are reportedly the favourites to sign the 24-year-old. Tottenham are in constant touch with the player’s representatives but if Man City are serious about signing the winger then it will not be a tough ask for them to jump over Spurs in this transfer race.
At the Etihad, the backup striker’s position is up for grabs because Julian Alvarez is leaving and since Pedro Neto can play as a winger, Guardiola will be able to strengthen the right-hand side as well.
Rodrygo – Real Madrid:
At the start of the summer window, Rodrygo was heavily linked with an exit but since then most of the rumours have died down because the player has made it clear that the wishes to remain at Real Madrid.
However, Real Madrid have now signed Kylian Mbappe plus they have also brought in Endrick which is why if Manchester City can come up with a top offer, there’s every chance that Florentino Perez will agree to sell the Brazilian international.
Rodrygo is currently valued at €110 million so MCFC will have to at least match that if they are seriously trying to sign him up.
Eberechi Eze – Crystal Palace:
The third and perhaps the most important name in this list is that of Eze because the reports are claiming that Pep Guardiola is very fond of the player and the manager wants him as the long-term replacement for Julian Alvarez.
Eze is a proper attacking midfielder and the 26-year-old has been in top form for Palace over the previous two seasons. His current contract with the Eagles has a release clause of around €70 million which can be triggered only by Champions League clubs.
Everything falls into place in terms of signing Eberechi Eze because he is not only a world-class No 10 but at the same time, all Man City will have to do is trigger his release clause.
