The talented Argentine Julian Alvarez was apparently trying to get out of Pep Guardiola’s squad, and Manchester City responded by asking a high price for him.

What followed as a result?

According to The Athletic, the forward is still keen to relocate to a warmer region and get more playing time. He might be limited, though, by City’s stated valuation of £60 million ($77 million), with a further £17 million ($22 million) in potential add-ons. Atletico Madrid, which has shown a great deal of interest in the player, is not in line with City’s expectations and may pull out of any potential deal if further negotiations do not lead to the Premier League winners decreasing their asking price.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Alvarez has flown to Paris to participate in the Summer Olympics with Argentina after plying his trade in the Copa America, which will further deter Pep Guardiola from handing him a starting role, at least in the initial phase of the 2024-25 campaign. He hasn’t had a substantial break in three years owing to club and international commitments, making his situation even more complex.

DID YOU KNOW?

The moves of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal serve as a reminder of City’s recent willingness to let players depart if they so want. They have, however, also demonstrated resistance to losing important players, whom they will find difficult to replace quickly, which presents difficulties for prospective suitors. It was evident last summer that they take a selective approach to player moves when they rejected the sales of Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva.

WHAT NEXT?

Once again, the city’s budgetary restraint in handling important assets has been highlighted. They will probably be firm in their appraisal of Alvarez, who has allegedly already turned down a four-year contract offer. This may compel the player to stay at Etihad, if only for an additional year, as a backup to goal machine Erling Haaland.