Manchester City Officially Signs Julian Alvarez For IDR 372 Billion

Julian Alvarez (Manchester City)

JAKARTA – Manchester City has officially signed Argentine international Julian Alvarez from River Plate. The 22-year-old is tied to a five-and-a-half-year contract.

However, the player will still remain in Buenos Aires on loan until July.

"Julian is a player we have been monitoring for some time," City's director of football Txiki Begiristain was quoted as saying on City's official website.

To get Alvarez, the Premier League club had to spend 16 million dollars, approximately IDR 372.8 billion. This figure makes the player the club's most expensive sale since Javier Saviola to Barcelona in 2001.

"He is capable of operating in a number of attacking roles, and we firmly believe he is one of the best young attacking players in South America," said Begiristain.

Alvarez made his senior international debut in a World Cup qualifier against Chile in June last year, replacing Angel Di Maria. He was also a member of the Argentina squad that won the Copa America.

Meanwhile, his senior debut at River Plate began in October 2018. Since then he has made a reputation as one of the best young strikers in Argentina.

He scored 36 goals and provided 25 assists in 96 River Plate appearances, including one in their 4-0 win over Racing in November. It was the result that ensured the Argentine league title.