Before his 24th birthday, Julian Alvarez has achieved what even the greatest ever (whoever you think it is) couldn’t: win a World Cup, a National title (Premier League), and a Champions League trophy in the same year, as he did in 2022. This, of course, was the same monumental year he took the next step in his soccer career and moved to Manchester City.

Since then, the partnership between the Argentinian and the English club has been nothing but productive, with the results speaking for itself. Unfortunately, it seems the two parties have reached the end of their rope as the striker has reportedly told Pep Guardiola and Co. that he wants to leave the club. However, one very important and potentially consequential condition for the club remains the eye-catching takeaway.

Julian Alvarez’s interesting non-negotiable!

Julian Alvarez has made it clear to Manchester City that he plans to leave them this very transfer season, per multiple reports. Needless to say, this will be an enormous blow to the Etihad-sponsored club. After all, Alvarez will leave behind massive shoes. And who (if anyone) can fill those shoes? Not only is the striker among the crème de la crème of the next-gen footballers, but he also fits in effortlessly with the club’s formidable line-up. The top scorer of last year’s Club World Cup, which the Pep Guardiola-led club won, Alvarez would, at the very least, be challenging to replace.

For everything the Argentinian has done for the club, he has one simple request for City, which even the club’s most hardcore fans will agree is pretty reasonable. He wants Pep and Co. to keep his asking price ‘reasonable’. It is no secret that one of the easiest ways for a club to prevent a superstar from leaving is by setting an exorbitant price tag. They know other clubs won’t be willing to pay. Essentially, the club can price the player out of another club’s financial reach.

But Alvarez, who is nothing, if not smart, doesn’t want that to happen to him. With the club reluctant to let him go, the striker is well aware he might be the victim of pricing shenanigans. To prevent this, he has pre-emptively called on Man City to refrain from asking for unreasonable amounts of money, which they know will be refused by clubs interested in acquiring him.

Pep Guardiola, perhaps the greatest post-Alex Ferguson manager, is well aware of the massive hole Alvarez’s exit will leave in his storied, three-peat squad. This is why their leadership group will need to have a serious heart-to-heart with the Argentinian forward, hoping they can get him to see the light and continue playing club football in the light blue shirt.

While the reason for Alvarez wanting to leave remains unknown, some feel it may be as straightforward as him wanting to go to a club where he can start, or at the very least, has a better chance of starting. Despite being the second-most prolific player in the squad, one man stands between him and any chance of being a regular starting striker for the club:

Soccer Football – Premier League – Aston Villa v Manchester City – Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain – December 6, 2023 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola speaks to Julian Alvarez REUTERS/Chris Radburn NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR ‘LIVE’ SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS.

As long as Erling Haaland, perhaps the best or second-best striker in the world, at the moment, is with Manchester City, there is little chance someone even as promising as Alvarez would be chosen to start by Pep and Co. Even after he officially became a Copa American winner yesterday to go with his World Cup, Club World Cup, two Premier League, and Champions League titles. But, Pep Guardiola is determined to not let Alvarez leave.

Pep Guardiola setting up for consequential talks with Alvarez

Julian Alvarez’s exit from Man City is not a done deal. According to ‘HITC’, Pep Guardiola has made it amply clear to anyone who would listen that he doesn’t want to let the Argentinian leave. To this end, the manager is willing to offer the Argentinian a new contract and a significant hike in his salary to coax him into staying.

However, it’s not about the money for Alvarez. Or so it seems. After all, the Argentinian forward has reportedly shown no interest in the offer of an improved contract and all the money that comes with it. According to reports, marquee Chelsea, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain are already vying for the World Cup winner.

To complicate matters, the Argentinian still has four years left on his City contract. While some may think this means that the club really does hold all the cards, since it can flatly refuse Alvarez, in practice, that is not the case. It is almost a universal truth at this point, regardless of sport, that a superstar who doesn’t want to stay at a club almost always gets their way.

But Pep will do his best to try to stop Alvarez from doing so. However, as things stand right now, he is not likely to be successful. Julian Alvarez seems determined to leave.