Man City, Aug 13:  Atletico Madrid has secured Argentine striker Julian Alvarez from Manchester City in a landmark transfer deal. The La Liga club confirmed on Monday that Alvarez has signed a six-year contract. While specific financial details were not disclosed, reports indicate the transfer could reach up to 85 million euros ($93 million), including add-ons.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Alvarez expressed his gratitude toward Manchester City, stating, “Today I say goodbye to this wonderful club with many emotions. They were two very special years. During this time, I grew and learned a lot as a player and as a person. I will always be very proud to have been part of this family; Manchester City will always have a special place in my heart.”

Alvarez’s transfer marks a record sale for Manchester City, surpassing the 50 million pounds Chelsea paid for Raheem Sterling in 2022. The 24-year-old forward originally joined City from River Plate in 2022 for 14 million pounds and has since netted 36 goals in 103 appearances. During his tenure, he has won the Premier League twice, along with the Champions League, FA Cup, Super Cup, and Club World Cup. He also played a crucial role in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory and the recent Copa America triumph.

Atletico Madrid’s manager, Diego Simeone, has been actively seeking a new center forward following Alvaro Morata’s transfer to AC Milan last month.