Man City star is ‘first choice’ transfer target for Champions League side as ‘negotiations’ begin

Manchester City star Julian Alvarez is a reported summer target for La Liga side Atletico Madrid.

The Argentina star was linked heavily with an exit earlier this window when Atletico, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea were credited with an interest. Speculation had gone quiet for several weeks but has resurfaced in recent days.

ESPN claimed on Wednesday that Alvarez is Atletico’s ‘first choice to replace Alvaro Morata’ if the Spanish forward signs for AC Milan. The same outlet stated that manager Diego Simeone sees the City forward as a ‘pillar’ of his team next season, while a loan move has also not been ruled out.

Girona's Artem Dovbyk and Villarreal's Alexander Sorloth have been identified as possible replacements for Morata and Memphis Depay, who also left Atletico this summer, but Alvarez is seen as Simeone’s first choice.

It follows Fabrizio Romano’s social media post on Sunday which stated that City plan to discuss Alvarez’s now that the Copa America has concluded, while the 24-year-old wants to play a more prominent role in the team. Romano added that City do not want to sell the World Cup winner.

Meanwhile, journalist Cesar Luis Merlo claimed there are ‘already negotiations’ for the former River Plate star, with Alvarez ‘willing to leave’.

City’s no.19 played more games than any of his team-mates last season, but ranked 9th for starts. He played a vital role in the first half of the season with Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland injured, but his on-field minutes dropped significantly in the second half of the season as the pair returned to the team.