Pep Guardiola's thoughts on replacing Julian Alvarez as striker quits Man City

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola had admitted he will have to wait to discover whether he is able to replace striker Julian Alvarez. The 2022 World Cup winner is set to join Atletico Madrid in a £81.5million deal after pushing for a move away from the Etihad Stadium.

City secured a bargain when they managed to prise Alvarez away from River Plate for just £14million in early 2022.

The 24-year-old moved to the Premier League later that year and was initially used as a back-up to Erling Haaland.

But Alvarez starred at the 2022 World Cup as he bagged four goals to help Argentina lift the trophy. He has gone on to become a regular starter for the Citizens, but has been utilised in various positions to accommodate Haaland.

And the South American is clearly unwilling to play second fiddle to the Norway international after bagging 19 goals and 13 assists for his club in all competitions last season.

With Alvarez’s transfer set to go through during the current transfer window, Guardiola was asked if the club would bring in a new striker. And the Spaniard replied: “I don't know yet, we talk every day - we'll see what will happen. It could happen, it could not happen. We will see.”

Guardiola, whose policy is to allow players to leave if they are unhappy at the club, was drawn into an exchange of words with Alvarez recently after the striker said: “Last season, I was one of the players with the most minutes at City. But you don’t like being left out of important matches, you want to contribute.

“I’ll take my time to think about what I want for myself. We will see after the [Olympic] Games. First, if I can, I will take a few days off. Then we will decide.”

And Guardiola bluntly responded: “I don’t think about replacing. I knew he said he will think about it. Once he has finished thinking, his agent will call Txiki [Begiristain, City director of football] and we will see what happens.

“I know he wants to play important moments, yeah. But the other ones do too. I read he wants to think about it. Okay, think about it and after that he will inform us what he wants to do.”

According to The Telegraph, City would have liked to keep hold of Alvarez but will allow him to leave due to a combination of the transfer fee on offer and star’s desire to play for a team where he will be a first-choice starter.

The Citizens have been interested in Wolves attacker Pedro Neto and may now pursue a move for the Portugal international.