Manchester City will demand a fee of £60m for Julian Alvarez this summer with the forward understood to be open to leaving the Premier League champions.
Alvarez made 31 starts in the Premier League last season but was often used in a deeper role due to the presence of Erling Haaland at the Etihad.
The 24-year-old, who is currently representing Argentina at the Olympics after winning the Copa America with the national side this summer, has been linked with an exit in search of increased status.
Chelsea are long-term admirers of the forward and remain interested in signing a striker this summer, with Alvarez’s desire for greater game time potentially facilitating a transfer between the clubs. Atletico Madrid are also named as admirers, though the Spanish side are closing in on the signing of Artem Dovbyk from La Liga rivals Girona.
The Athletic are reporting that City will only entertain offers in the region of £60m for Alvarez, who has scored 36 goals in 103 games since joining the club from River Plate.
Enzo Maresca’s side are expected to gauge the player’s interest in a potential switch to Stamford Bridge, where he could follow Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer in swapping City for Chelsea in recent transfer windows.
