Manchester City are reportedly considering selling Julian Alvarez to Real Madrid this summer to finance a move for Pep Guardiola’s top transfer target.
With Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Alvarez and Jermey Doku being the only recognised forwards at Man City at the moment, the manager has been thinking over attacking options to add to the side.
Reports now suggest that Guardiola has identified a Premier League striker as his top target. He may have to sell Alvarez to be able to complete a deal, however.
As reported by our friends at TEAMtalk, Real Madrid hold a concrete interest in the Argentina international.
Carlo Ancelotti is keen to add another quality striker to his squad after the departure of Karim Benzema and is a huge admirer of Alvarez.
Real Madrid are also keen on Haaland, but with the Norway international in talks over signing a new contract with Man City, they may find it impossible to get a deal done for him.
With that in mind, a move for Alvarez would be more likely. According to Spanish outlet SPORT, Real Madrid want to sign Alvarez ‘within the next year.’
Despite Alvarez winning the treble with Man City last season, it’s thought that he would be willing to make a switch to the Bernabeu in favour of more consistent playing time.
The World Cup winner started just 13 Premier League matches for the Cityzens last term. This season, however, Alvarez has started all four of their matches, scoring two goals and making one assist in the process.
Alvarez is thought to be concerned that his minutes may diminish again, so a ‘lucrative offer’ from Real Madrid may tempt him.
Should Alvarez leave, Man City could turn their attention to Brighton and Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson.
As mentioned, Guardiola is a huge fan of the 18-year-old. He has made an incredible start this season, netting four goals in four Premier League matches so far – trailing only Haaland (6) in the scoring charts.
Ferguson would not be a cheap addition, though. As reported by Sky Sports, Brighton would only consider offers in the region of £120m for the Ireland international, which just shows how highly Roberto de Zerbi rates him.
Despite that, Guardiola could end up selling Alvarez to Real Madrid in order to raise funds to sign Ferguson, having already placed him at the top of his transfer shortlist.
Ferguson, therefore, is definitely a player for Man City fans to keep an eye out for when the transfer window re-opens in January.