Manchester City's capture of Argentine starlet Julian Alvarez has paved the way for Edinson Cavani to join Buenos Aires giants River Plate when he leaves Manchester United in the summer.
Alvarez, 21, has agreed a deal that will cost City £15.5million up front and a further £7m in potential add-ons.
He will stay on loan at River Plate until the summer – when the Argentine club plan to replace him with United’s Uruguayan veteran Cavani.
The cash River Plate will bank from the Premier League champions means they can now afford the striker’s wage demands.
Cavani, who will turn 35 on February 14, earns more than £250,000 a week at Old Trafford.
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He will take a pay cut when he moves to Argentina – but will still command a significant salary.
Cavani is in his second season with United after arriving on a free from French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
He planned to move back to South America last summer, only for United to tempt him into staying for a second year with a massive wage offer.
Boca Juniors wanted to take him to Buenos Aires – and both Barcelona and Brazilian club Corinthians have failed in attempts to secure his services this month with United boss Ralf Rangnick unwilling to sanction his departure.
United have lost Anthony Martial, after allowing him to join Sevilla on loan.
River, the most successful club in Argentina, decided to cash in on Alvarez when City made an offer, so that they could put the finances in place to tempt Cavani.
Alvarez already has six caps for his country – and has been touted as ‘the new Sergio Aguero’.
