As The Pitch Prospect has learned, Atletico Madrid are one of the clubs interested in signing Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez.
The Argentina international has hinted that he could leave City this summer after expressing his frustration at a lack of playing time in key matches last season.
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The Pitch Prospect has learned that Premier League rivals Arsenal have expressed interest in signing Alvarez ahead of the new season.
However, the Gunners could face competition from Atletico for the striker, who is valued at £70 million at City.
Alvarez has scored 36 goals and assisted on 18 more in 103 appearances in all competitions for the Premier League champions.
Although Atletico are interested in the 24-year-old, they will likely have to sell Aston Villa-targeted Joao Felix to make a deal possible.
The Pitch Prospect reported last month that Unai Emery’s side were considering an ambitious transfer for the Portuguese star.
Felix spent last season on loan at Barcelona and the second half of the 2022/23 season at Chelsea.
Atletico signed the striker from Benfica in 2019 for £113 million, making him the fourth most expensive transfer of all time.
However, his relationship with coach Diego Simeon seems to have deteriorated and last summer he expressed his “dream” of moving to LaLiga rivals Barcelona.
Felix did not play a single minute during the preseason and was booed by the Atletico fans.
He could leave the Spanish capital again in the coming weeks, a move that could help Atletico in their hunt for Alvarez.
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Simeone’s team has already signed Robin Le Normand and Alexander Sorloth from Real Sociedad and Villarreal this summer.
The arrival of a third player could soon be made official as The Pitch Prospect has learned that Conor Gallagher will travel to Madrid today to complete the transfer.
The Chelsea midfielder has agreed to a five-year deal that will cost Atletico £33 million.
Gallagher, who graduated from the Blues’ Cobham Academy, turned down a new two-year contract to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge.
The 24-year-old will leave the club after 95 appearances for the first team, in which he scored ten goals and provided assists for a further ten.