Man City in talks to re-sign Alvarez as Arsenal's £128m pursuit hits reluctance wall

Manchester City have entered preliminary talks to re-sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, Spanish outlet Marca reports, as the Argentine striker’s future at the club continues to dominate the summer transfer window. Atletico are demanding £128.4m for the 26-year-old, who joined from City just two years ago for £81.8m.

Alvarez had made no secret of his desire to leave the Metropolitano this summer, with Barcelona initially his preferred destination. That route was firmly closed off by Atletico chief Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, who issued a blunt public statement ruling out any sale to their La Liga rivals under any circumstances. “The player will most certainly not be transferred to Barcelona,” Gil Marín said, adding that the club was “repulsed by the dishonesty, lack of ethics, transparency and professionalism” shown in those approaches.

With Barcelona out of the picture, Arsenal had emerged as the frontrunners for Alvarez’s signature. However, City’s reported interest has complicated that picture further. According to Marca, both clubs face a shared obstacle: Alvarez is said to be reluctant to return to England, casting doubt on whether either side can persuade him to make the move.

Maresca’s City squad has been thinned in attack following the departures of Omar Marmoush and Savinho, which may be driving the club’s interest in a reunion with the striker who won the Premier League and Champions League during his time at the Etihad. No formal negotiations between City and Atletico have taken place yet, with contact described as no more than initial enquiries at this stage.

Alvarez has been impressive since arriving in Madrid, scoring 49 goals in 107 appearances across all competitions and signing a six-year contract. Atletico’s firm £128.4m asking price and the player’s own reservations about his next destination mean any deal — whether with City, Arsenal, or another club — remains far from straightforward.