A few months ago, before Manchester City confirmed the signing of Julian Alvarez from River Plate, it was widely reported in South America that the race for his transfer was big.
Many European clubs were interested in the striker at the time, and besides Pep Guardiola’s side, there was said to be a strong chase from Spanish giants as well.
Now that information was confirmed by River Plate’s vice-president Matias Patanian. He visited Spanish TV Show El Chiringuito de Jugones this week, and speaking of Julian Alvarez, he was asked if Real Madrid and Barcelona were after him.
“Really, Madrid sounded very loud, even here,” Patanian told El Chiringuito.
However, when asked if Real Madrid spoke to them, he said: “No, no, City came directly a few months ago and we were able to really get Julian to be sold but have him staying.”
Patanian was also asked if Alvarez is ‘of Barcelona or of Real Madrid’, regarding which of the two he’d support, and the vice-president had a good answer for that: “He did a trial at Madrid, but I think he’s of River.”
His words make it clear how important it was that Manchester City let Alvarez stay at River Plate for a little longer. It’s still not clear when will the striker complete the move to England, as that shall depend on Pep Guardiola’s wish and the Millonario’s campaign in the Copa Libertadores this year.
