Pep Guardiola has expressed his delight at Manchester City’s capture of Julian Alvarez from River Plate.
City secured the signing of Alvarez in the closing stages of the January transfer window for a fee in the region of £14m, with the forward to remain on loan with River Plate until the end of the season.
The 22-year-old had been courted by several leading sides in Europe, having been named as South American Footballer of the Year in 2021 after finishing as the leading scorer in Argentina.
He has scored 36 goals and provided 25 assists in 96 appearances for River Plate and broke into the Argentina national side in 2021, forming part of the squad that won the Copa America last summer.
Speaking ahead of the club’s FA Cup fourth round tie with Fulham this weekend, Guardiola praised the City’s recruitment staff for concluding a deal for the coveted forward.
“Congratulations for City, they work to be in the present but of course for the future,” he said. “It’s a player that could be already with us now but we have enough players in that position. I don’t like to have too many players in several positions.
“The best is stay in River Plate, he’s done incredibly well with Marcelo Gallardo and his teammates.
“In the next pre-season, he’ll be with us, after we’ll decide what happens. In pre-season, every season the squad moves.
“I am personally and we are really pleased to have this talented young player for the next years.”
