Atletico Madrid have finalized the transfer of Julian Alvarez, a 2022 World Cup champion, from Manchester City for a rumored fee of £82 million.

In a surprising turn of events, Atletico Madrid has made a club-record signing by acquiring Julian Alvarez from Manchester City. The Premier League champions have reportedly received a fee of around £82 million, including add-ons, for the 24-year-old forward. Alvarez will be filling the void left by Alvaro Morata, who recently joined AC Milan.

Alvarez, who was part of Argentina’s squad in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, had a successful run in the tournament. He contributed two assists in four appearances before Argentina’s quarter-final exit at the hands of France, the host nation. His impressive performances in the Olympics added to his achievements this year, as he was also part of the squad that won the Copa America.

During his time at Manchester City, Alvarez scored 36 goals in 103 appearances across all competitions. He leaves the club with an impressive collection of winners’ medals, including two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, one UEFA Champions League, one Club World Cup, and one UEFA Super Cup. Last season, he made 54 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side, finding the back of the net 19 times. His final goal for the club came in a 4-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage on May 11.

Expressing his gratitude to the club, Alvarez said, “Today I say goodbye to this amazing club, with a lot of emotion. These have been two very special years. During this time, I have grown and learnt a lot – both as a player and as a person.” He also thanked the directors, technical staff, and teammates for their support and guidance. Alvarez expressed his appreciation for the fans, stating, “To the fans, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the great support and for making me feel at home from the very first day. I will always be extremely proud to have been part of this family.”

Despite his departure, Alvarez assured that Manchester City will always hold a special place in his heart. He wished the club success in the future and pledged to continue supporting them wherever he may be.

In addition to his club success, Alvarez had a notable international career. He scored twice in Argentina’s victorious Copa America campaign, contributing to their 2-0 wins over Canada in the group stage and semi-finals. He also found the net four times in the 2022 World Cup, helping Argentina secure their third World Cup triumph.

It remains to be seen how Manchester City will cope with the loss of Alvarez, but fans will surely remember his contributions to the club’s success. As for Alvarez himself, his future is uncertain, but he has left a lasting impact on both Manchester City and the Argentina national team.