Officials at Manchester City have altered their stance on the club’s plans for striker Julian Alvarez ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, according to reports.
Argentine sensation Alvarez, of course, put pen to paper on terms with the Sky Blues earlier this year.
The 22-year-old, who has long established himself as one of the most highly-regarded young talents in South America, agreed to the terms of a five-and-a-half-year contract at the Etihad, before immediately rejoining long-time club River Plate on loan for the remainder of the season.
The widespread assumption, in turn, was that Alvarez would link up with Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad in Manchester in the summer, ahead of staking his claim for a regular starting berth from next season on.
All six Julian Alvarez goals from River Plate’s 8-1 win in the Libertadores.
The most impressive part about his double hat-trick is not one goal is the same. A goalscorer from all areas of the pitch.
— Amos Murphy (@AmosMurphy_) May 26, 2022
If the latest word stemming from South America on Friday is anything to go by, however, then the City faithful may in fact be forced to wait a little longer before catching a first glimpse of Alvarez in the club’s colours.
This comes amid the suggestion that a 2nd successive loan spell is being lined up for the attacker.
Amid concerns that Alvarez may struggle for game-time owing to both his inevitable adaptation period, and the competition of Erling Haaland, a temporary stint in France is in the works for the youngster.
As per Argentine outlet TyCSports, the transfer team on the blue half of Manchester have gone as far as to make contact with their counterparts at Olympique Marseille, to gauge their interest in taking Alvarez on loan for a year.
Such a move would of course see the 8-time capped international secure experience of not only a top-5 European league, but also, crucially, the Champions League.
Manchester City have offered Julian Alvarez to Marseille on loan, per @TyCSports.
They doubt they can give them the necessary minutes to adapt to European football and believe OM could be an ideal springboard.
— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) June 3, 2022
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