From Spain: Striker asks to leave Manchester City and rejects new contract offer | OneFootball

Manchester City have reportedly been struck by a shock transfer demand from striker Julian Alvarez, as well as a rejected contract offer at the end of last season.

Uncertainty over the future of the Argentina international has been standing since the early stages of the summer transfer window, when it first emerged that the 24-year-old would be open to a new challenge in search of more consistent game-time.

Despite reported interest from the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, and even Premier League rivals Chelsea, the understanding in some quarters is that the player’s first-choice option would be Real Madrid – a solution that will not happen this summer.

Alvarez himself has only commented on the matter once this summer, but kept his cards relatively close to his chest, as he said, “These are things that are said, but I am calm; I am comfortable and happy at Manchester City; we will see what happens.”

But not a sensational development emerging from Spain has suggested that the player has now requested a move away from Manchester City this summer, in the midst of his Copa America and Olympic Games focus for Argentina.

According to the information of journalist Marcos Benito, reporting for El Chiringuito, Julián Álvarez has now ‘asked to leave’ Manchester City, having also ‘rejected an improved contract’ and a one-year extension at the end of the last campaign.

It is further explained that the 24-year-old wants City transfer officials to give him a ‘logical selling price’, presumably in order for realistic proposals to be put forward by potential suitors from across Europe.

At present, there have been no other suggestions that a formal request to leave the Etihad Stadium has been lodged by the Argentine, with media reports closer to home remaining largely quiet on Alvarez’s future for a number of weeks.

However, should Julian Alvarez source an exit from Manchester City in the remaining weeks of the ongoing summer market, Etihad Stadium bosses are expected to turn to the market to secure a suitable replacement for his role.

City’s current focus remains on signing fresh midfield recruits in the market this summer, and particularly for the role of back-up to defensive midfield mainstay Rodrigo, amid the expectation that Kalvin Phillips has no future in Pep Guardiola’s plans.