Atletico Madrid stump up reported €95M to sign Alvarez from Man City

Atletico Madrid could be forming a formidable attack for the 2024-25 season after sparing no expense to sign Julian Alvarez from Manchester City.

The attacker, who reportedly cost €75 million up front with an additional €20 million in bonuses, signed a six-year contract at the Wanda Metropolitano. He joins fellow new signing Alexander Sorloth, who scored 23 La Liga goals for Villarreal last season, in Diego Simeone's squad.

Antoine Griezmann is still on Atletico Madrid's books but is linked with a move to Major League Soccer. "One day or the other he will come here," Griezmann's long-time France teammate Olivier Giroud said during his introductory press conference with Los Angeles FC last Thursday.

At just 24, Alvarez has amassed an obscene trophy haul. The forward swept up numerous honors with River Plate in his native Argentina - including a Primera Division title and the 2018 Copa Libertadores crown - before winning two Premier League titles, the Champions League, FA Cup, Club World Cup, and UEFA Super Cup in two seasons with Manchester City.

He's also enjoyed a gold rush on the international stage, winning the 2022 World Cup, two Copa America titles, and the 2022 Finalissima since his Argentina debut in 2021. He's bagged nine goals in 36 caps for La Albiceleste.

Alvarez scored 36 times for Manchester City following his £14-million transfer from River Plate, but he was often second-choice behind Erling Haaland in Pep Guardiola's strikeforce.

"We have won everything together … he was incredible, and there's an incredible love from the team for his behavior," Guardiola said Friday. "But like I said many, many times about the players, if he wants to leave, (he can have) a new challenge. Atletico Madrid is a top, top club in Spain and Europe."