Sources: Man City get one over Barcelona as Julian Alvarez agrees new contract
Man City star Julian Alvarez has agreed a bumper new five-and-a-half-year contract with Man City, sources have told Football Insider.
This site first revealed on 1 March that Pep Guardiola’s side expect to agree new terms with Alvarez despite interest from La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.
The World Cup winner has agreed a significant pay rise on his current deal, which earns him a reported wage of £50,000-a-week.
His existing contract already runs until June 2027, but will add another 12 months to his Etihad Stadium stay with his new agreement.
Real Madrid and Barcelona wanted to take advantage of Alvarez’s backup status at Man City to lure him away from the Premier League.
But it is understood that the former River Plate hitman is “very happy” at the Etihad Stadium.
That is despite being behind talisman Erling Haaland in the City pecking order – with Alvarez starting just six of a possible 27 Premier League games this term.
Nevertheless, he has notched 10 goals and three assists in 32 appearances in the 2022-23 campaign.
The 23-year-old also scored four goals for Argentina as they lifted the World Cup in Qatar – including a brace in the semi-final against Croatia.
Man City paid River Plate a reported fee of £14.1million to bring the striker to the club in January 2022 following his impressive form back in Argentina.
He didn’t join up with his new side until the summer window – at which time Guardiola also drafted in Haaland to revolutionise his strikeforce.
City sit five points behind Arsenal atop the Premier League with 11 games left to play this term.
The Citizens remain in contention for the Champions League – and must win against Leipzig in the second leg of their last-16 clash to advance to the quarter-final stage.
In other news, Football Insider updates as Man City bank £231m with new transfer details revealed.