One of the worst deals I’ve seen’ – Man City set to sell Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid for five times the amount they paid for him & football fans are going crazy

Football fans have reacted with shock and amazement at reports Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez could join Atletico Madrid for at least £70 million.

According to The Athletic, Atletico are close to striking a deal for City forward Alvarez. The report adds the final price and payment structure are being discussed and the fee is expected to be at least five times the £14m ($17.8m) they paid River Plate for the Argentina international in January 2022. After news broke about the possible £70m exit ($89.4m) for the 24-year-old, football fans took to social media to express a vast array of different opinions on the topic.

WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING
@TheSecretScout_ tweeted: “Didn’t he look at Aguero, he’s going the wrong way,” while @TolzyBets wrote on X: “Wow. Atletico are cooking.”

@DJ___129 commented: “£70m for Alvarez is one of the worst deals I’ve seen in a long time. I actually think he’ll do well at Atleti but that fee is stupid – [Eddie] Nketiah is literally there for £30m smh (shake my head).”

@garnacho_fc posted: “He has to leave for the good cause as he won’t start ahead of [Erling] Haaland anyway. Good that he realized it!”

Finally, @granville_cw put: “PSG and City will be pushing hard for CFs (centre forwards) now. Things just got even more interesting,” and @CallMeHabeeb added: “Atletico Madrid will turn him into a monster striker💯.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE
An Alvarez exit may have been on the cards ever since the striker said it hurt he wasn’t playing in City’s biggest matches last season, with prolific attacker Erling Haaland often preferred up front. This prompted a blunt response from manager Pep Guardiola, leading Alvarez to defend his remarks. While Guardiola said he “counts” on the Argentine, making a huge profit on the forward may cushion the blow of a potential exit.

DID YOU KNOW?
According to the report, Alvarez is keen on an Atletico move and personal terms are said to not be a problem. Since signing for Guardiola’s City, he has helped them win two Premier League titles, one Champions League, and the FA Cup – but he has largely been behind Haaland in the pecking order.

WHAT NEXT?
Alvarez, who is currently enjoying his summer break after representing his country in their run to the quarter-finals of the Paris Olympics, is set to report back for City later this month but he could join Atletico before then.