Julian Alvarez: Manchester City’s latest signing could indicate a new transfer strategy at the club

Manchester City have signed Julian Alvarez from River Plate on a five-and-a-half-year deal - we look at what’s been said about him by the club.
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Manchester City’s latest piece of transfer business could indicate a new strategy for the club when it comes to signing new players.

The Sky Blues have signed Julian Alvarez from River Plate for €17m (£14.2m) on a five-and-a-half-deal, with the forward remaining at the Argentine club until July.

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This is the first senior January addition to Pep Guardiola’s side since the arrival of Aymeric Laporte in 2018.

The move for Alvarez, who was voted the South American player of the year last season, might now show a new strategy when it comes to future signings at the Etihad Stadium, especially if you base it on Txiki Begiristain comments.

Julian Alvarez. Credit: GettyJulian Alvarez. Credit: Getty
Julian Alvarez. Credit: Getty

The City director of football said the following on their official website, after signing the 22-year-old forward.

“Julian is a player we have monitored for some time,” Begiristain said. “He is capable of operating in a number of attacking roles, and we firmly believe he’s one of the best young attacking players in South America.

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“I am so happy we have managed to bring him to Manchester City. I really believe we can provide him with the right conditions to fulfil his potential and become a top player.”

New strategy?

Based on these comments it could suggest that the Sky Blues will aim to sign players who are more versatile instead of those who play in one position.

The summer arrival of Jack Grealish has proven this as well, with the £100m-man playing in a range of positions this campaign, including a not-so familiar false-nine role.

Future plans

The future plans for City could have also changed due to this aim for versatile players, meaning any potential move for out-and-out strikers Harry Kane and Erling Haaland could now be changed.

Guardiola has alternated between his favoured 4-2-2-2 and 4-3-3 formations, with the later seeing Grealish, Gabriel Jesus, Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling playing on the wing or in a false-nine role.