Julian Alvarez is more than ready to play in Europe after outgrowing Argentinian football, according to a footballer idolised by River Plate fans.
Alvarez completed a £14m transfer to Manchester City in January but has remained on loan at River until July. There has been some confusion over whether the 22-year-old could stay in Argentina until the end of 2022, but City and boss Pep Guardiola have been clear they expect Alvarez to be part of their pre-season training squad.
The striker has started the season well for River, scoring five times in nine outings, with two assists, as well as a first goal for Argentina on his full international debut.
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Alvarez caught the eye in River's first Copa Libertadores match of the season on Wednesday as he played a lovely reverse pass into the box to assist their only goal in a 1-0 win.
And River Plate legend Fernando Cavenaghi has now told City that they have a player ready to leave Argentina and continue his rapid rise in Europe.
Quoted by TyC Sports, Cavenaghi said: “I saw him in the reserves, I followed him in the youth leagues. It’s not my characteristic. He’s a complete player, he usually goes down the flanks, wears out differently and on top of that he added the goals.
Watch Alvarez's latest assist:
“That makes footballers worth much more. He runs, presses, creates free kicks and had a tremendous scoring streak. He’s on another level than Argentine football.”
“Now he has to prove it in Europe. He’s sky-high in confidence and he’s earned a place in the World Cup.”
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