Real Madrid set sights on Manchester City star in surprise move for new striker: report

Carlo Ancelotti reacts to Real Madrid's defeat at Manchester City in the Champions League in May 2023.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Real Madrid are interested in signing Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez, according to reports in his native Argentina.

The World Cup-winning forward has started the 2023/24 campaign in fine form for Pep Guardiola’s Treble-winning side.

Alvarez has started all eight of City’s Premier League games this season, scoring three goals and providing four assists.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gives instructions to striker Erling Haaland in a Premier League game against Newcastle in March 2023.

Guardiola has found a way for Haaland and Alvarez to play together (Image credit: Getty Images)

He played a big part in the Citizens’ Treble success last season, scoring 17 goals in 49 appearances, but often had to play second fiddle to Erling Haaland until Guardiola found a way of fitting both players into his team.  

The 23-year-old’s form for club and country has made him a wanted man, according to Argentinian journalist Sebastian Srur.

Julian Alvarez of Manchester City celebrates during the UEFA Champions League Group G match between Manchester City and FK Crvena zvezda at Etihad Stadium on September 19, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

Alvarez helped City win the Treble last season (Image credit: Getty Images)

“Real Madrid are interested in ‘the Spider’ Julian Alvarez. The Argentine does not have a release clause at City,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

The Spanish giants have been linked with several strikers after failing to convincingly replace Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema over the summer.

Benzema departed the Spanish capital to join Saudi side Al-Ittihad and was replaced by 33-year-old striker Joselu, who came in on loan from Espanyol.

Although Joselu has started well at the Bernabeu, scoring five goals in nine league games, he is not a long-term solution in the role for Real.

Alvarez is unlikely to be a simple signing, though; he has a contract to June 2028 with Man City and is valued at €80m (£70m) by Transfermarkt.

More Manchester City stories

Rodri recently called for action to be taken to stop European football losing more stars to Saudi Arabia.

Pep Guardiola has discussed his future, teasing Juventus as a potential destination in the future. 

Meanwhile, midfielder Bernardo Silva could leave City for a cut-price £50 million due to a special release clause.

Alasdair Mackenzie is a freelance journalist based in Rome, and a FourFourTwo contributor since 2015. When not pulling on the FFT shirt, he can be found at Reuters, The Times and the i. An Italophile since growing up on a diet of Football Italia on Channel 4, he now counts himself among thousands of fans sharing a passion for Ross County and Lazio. 

Read more
Real Madrid earned a valuable victory over Manchester City in the Champions League just days ago
Real Madrid star reveals all on proposed summer move to Manchester City
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola may have identified another new signing
Manchester City in for Real Madrid superstar to replace Bernardo Silva: report
Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, reacts prior to the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Manchester City FC at Selhurst Park on December 07, 2024 in London, England.
Manchester City report: Pep Guardiola is admitting huge transfer was a 'serious mistake'
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring their team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off first leg match between Manchester City and Real Madrid C.F. at Manchester City Stadium on February 11, 2025 in Manchester, England.
Vinicius Jr in talks to LEAVE Real Madrid, with 'unrefusable' figures 'agreed' in person: report
Jude Bellingham, Carlo Ancelotti and Fede Valverde pictured after Real Madrid's LaLiga win over Cadiz in May 2024.
Real Madrid persistent in attempts to complete hugely controversial transfer: report
Manchester City target Raphinha
Manchester City in eye-watering bid for Barcelona star Raphinha: report
Latest in Stories
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola holds aloft the Premier League trophy at the Etihad in May 2023.
Quiz! Can you name every Premier League champion... in just 90 seconds?
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: manager Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur FC and Micky van de Venand Cristian Romero during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and West Ham United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Tottenham star Cristian Romero 'willing to do everything' to LEAVE: report
Latest in News
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Arsenal squad for 2024/25 LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal with teammates during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal warned, as Real Madrid are coming for their star next: report