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Pep Guardiola has not ruled out signing a replacement for Julian Alvarez after sanctioning the World Cup winner’s attempt to find “happiness” away from Manchester City.
Alvarez is close to completing a move to Atletico Madrid in a deal worth over £81million in total, with an initial fee of 75 million euro and 20m in add-ons amounting to a record sale for City.
It represents a significant profit on a player signed from River Plate in his native Argentina for £14m and underlines Guardiola’s willingness to let unhappy players leave.
“I want to say my gratitude to Julian,” Guardiola said ahead of Saturday’s Community Shield against Manchester United at Wembley.
“His two years here we won everything together and his contribution has been massive, whether being part of the starting XI or not.
“He’s incredibly loved by the team for his behaviour but like I said many times for many players, he wants to leave and have a new challenge.
“Atletico is a top club in Spain and Europe and when they suggested to me that he wanted to leave, imagine he stays here if he wants to leave?
“He played a lot last season and in some moments with Erling (Haaland) but I understand in some important moments he thought he was going to play.
His two years here we won everything together and his contribution has been massive, whether being part of the starting XI or not— Pep Guardiola on Julian Alvarez
“He said he wants a new challenge and it is what he has to do. I don’t like to tell players what they have to do. Contracts are nice but they can be broken. If they are not happy, why should they be there?
“If they think happiness is around the corner, go and take a look. Both clubs are happy with the agreement, I look forward to see him back to say bye to all of us.
“It was a joy to work with him, I learnt a lot from him and hopefully he can find what he was looking for.”
Asked if a replacement for Alvarez might be bought before the end of the transfer window on August 30, Guardiola added: “I don’t know yet. We talk every day and see what happens. It could happen but it could not happen.”
Guardiola admits he is trying not to think too much about a 48-week season which includes an expanded 36-team Champions League and the Club World Cup, but insists he will be taking the Community Shield seriously.
“It is important, it’s a final against United but a part of it is to try to refine ourselves, step by step after a break for most of the players,” he said.
“Seeing how the young players behave on the big stage in a good game and we go for it.
“All the players came back and the England players and Rodri will come back next week. Don’t think about the schedule. Think about the next training session and step by step, otherwise it’s ‘Oh my god what is going to happen?'”
