Manchester City forward identified as ‘first choice’ to replace AC Milan-bound striker | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid have turned their attentions to Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez as their ‘first choice’ option to replace Alvaro Morata, according to reports.

Alvarez is currently away on a short summer break before resuming his on-field duties with Argentina at the 2024 Olympic Games in the French capital city of Paris, following on from his duties at Copa America.

Argentina, alongside the striking efforts of Julian Alvarez, made it back-to-back Copa America titles alongside their FIFA World Cup triumph of 2022, establishing themselves as the finest international side in the world at present.

But despite Julian Alvarez’s focus being on the pitch, there remains a clear intention to arrange his club responsibilities, with a growing intention to recruit the player within the hierarchies of some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

The latest interest to be fielded by Manchester City across the course of the coming days and weeks concerns Atletico Madrid, who are seemingly intent on signing the 24-year-old as a marquee new signing for the upcoming season.

According to the information of ESPN’s Rodrigo Faez and Adriana Garcia, Manchester City’s Julián Álvarez is now Atlético Madrid’s ‘first choice’ to replace Álvaro Morata, should the Spanish international captain finalise a move to AC Milan.

With Atletico Madrid reportedly aware that Manchester City ‘will not make things easy for them’, the La Liga side are said to be not ruling out the possibility of a loan deal for the Argentina international.

From the side of Álvarez, it is explained that the Manchester City forward ‘wants more playing time’ and Atlético are happy to make him ‘one of the pillars’ of Diego Simeone’s new project at Wanda Metropolitano.

With Manchester City understood to be expecting signifcant investment in Alvarez from any potential suitor, ESPN report that Atlético Madrid are ‘willing to make a financial effort’ to sign the 24-year-old if Morata leaves.

Alvaro Morata is widely expected to undergo an AC Milan medical this week, and as such there may be more concrete movements from Atletico Madrid towards Julian Alvarez in the coming days, with finances having been secured to reinvest in La Araña.

Should Alvarez opt to remain at Manchester City this summer, he is unlikely to feature for the club in training or match action until mid-September, with the striker eligible to a minimum of three weeks holiday following the conclusion of his Olympic duties.

As such, his return to Manchester would then be greeted by another round of international friendlies for Argentina, meaning a home tie against Brentford on Saturday 14 September would likely be his first contest back under Pep Guardiola.