CHELSEA TRANSFER BOMBSHELL! Manchester City set STUNNING £70m price tag for Julian Alvarez!
Chelsea’s Stance on Julian Alvarez Transfer as Manchester City Demands High Fee
Julian Alvarez, Manchester City’s striker, has been quietly linked with a potential move, with reports indicating that City has communicated to Chelsea the hefty sum required for his transfer.
Sources reveal that Chelsea would need to shell out over £70 million to secure Alvarez this summer, as Manchester City seeks to avoid a situation similar to Cole Palmer’s. Alvarez is contemplating leaving the Etihad Stadium for more regular playing time, given Erling Haaland’s dominance as the first-choice striker.
Alvarez started 31 Premier League matches last season, mainly due to Kevin De Bruyne’s extended injury absence, but only started in two of Manchester City’s ten Champions League games last season.
Chelsea, on the hunt for a new striker, has shown interest in Alvarez. Previously, Chelsea negotiated with Manchester City for Cole Palmer, signing him for £45 million on deadline day, and he was later named the club’s player of the season.
Under new head coach Enzo Maresca, Chelsea has already made seven signings this transfer window, including striker Marc Guiu from Barcelona. However, they are expected to add another senior forward while maintaining financial prudence.
According to Football.london, Chelsea’s ownership is adamant about not overpaying for a center-forward and aims to avoid hasty decisions as the transfer deadline nears, though acquiring a striker remains a priority.
The Athletic reports Alvarez’s price tag as an initial £59 million, potentially rising to £76 million with add-ons. Chelsea could afford this by offloading several fringe players like Kepa Arrizabalaga and Romelu Lukaku. Additionally, Trevoh Chalobah and Armando Broja are expected to depart, potentially raising substantial funds.
The fee for Alvarez is seen as justifiable, given his achievements, including a World Cup, Copa America, Champions League, and two Premier League titles. Nonetheless, Chelsea is wary of Financial Fair Play regulations. The club faces losses on Lukaku (£97.5 million) and Arrizabalaga (£72 million), affecting their three-year balance sheets under Profit & Sustainability Rules. Consequently, academy graduates like Chalobah are being considered for sale, with Ian Maatsen already sold to Aston Villa for £37.5 million.
Sales of academy players generate pure profit, as they incur no initial cost, thus benefiting the club’s finances. Despite these factors, Chelsea seems more cautious about their expenditures this time around.
