Manchester City are closing in on the signing of River Plate striker Julian Alvarez before Monday's transfer deadline.
Details of City's pursuit of the prolific 21-year-old emerged last week, and it appears to be a matter of time before the Argentine is confirmed as a City player.
If the deal is completed, the plan is for City to loan Alvarez back to River for the rest of the season before he joins Pep Guardiola's squad in the summer. If River progress in the Copa Libertadores, Alvarez would stay there until the end of 2022, with City able to pay an extra fee to ensure he arrives before the start of next season should they wish.
Alvarez made his sixth appearance for the Argentina national side on Thursday night, coming on as a late substitute for Lautaro Martinez in their win over Chile. Wearing the number nine shirt, Alvarez couldn't grab a goal but City fans will be encouraged that he is among Lionel Scaloni's plans going forward.
And it appears he is definitely in City's plans, with 'confirmation' of the transfer coming from a surprise source.
Speaking earlier this week, Fiorentina sporting director Daniele Prade revealing their interest in Alvarez and City's subsequent signing.
He told Firenze Viola : "We followed him for a long time but there was never the need to take him and now he has been taken by Manchester City."
It seems Prade is not too happy with City's actions, however, as he questioned whether moving to Manchester is the right choice for Alvarez.
He added: "I don't know if the choice to go to City be the right one for him, given the many champions it will be difficult to find continuity."
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