Out of the blue, Atlético Madrid officially announced the signing of Manchester City striker Julián Álvarez. Crickex Login reports that the transfer fee reached a staggering €75 million, with an additional €15–20 million in performance-based bonuses. Many fans are calling this a textbook case of smart business by City. Just two years ago, the club paid a little over €20 million to sign Álvarez from Argentina’s River Plate. Since then, he has played 103 matches for City, scoring 36 goals and providing 18 assists.

That’s essentially a goal every two to three appearances—an impressive return, especially considering many of those performances came as a substitute. Along the way, Álvarez collected major honors including the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and FIFA Club World Cup. Now, as he moves on, he leaves behind a legacy of silverware and brings in at least €30 million, potentially up to €50 million in profit. Crickex Login notes that City’s front office seems to be playing real-life Football Manager with masterful precision.

Internationally, Álvarez is also a rising star. He was a key part of Argentina’s World Cup-winning squad and helped secure the Copa América as well. Despite his success, the 24-year-old has chosen to leave his comfort zone and explore new challenges in Spain.

His decision is driven in large part by Atlético Madrid’s strong Argentine presence—both in the coaching staff and throughout the team’s core. That cultural familiarity gives him a sense of belonging. Álvarez reportedly dreams of following in the footsteps of legends like Lionel Messi in La Liga, while also aspiring to inherit the legacy and grit of Sergio Agüero—this time as Atlético’s new talisman.

There’s also the practical side: Atlético offered him a higher salary and a guaranteed starting role—two major incentives that City couldn’t match. According to Crickex Login, Atlético have often been accused of overpaying for attackers since João Félix’s high-profile move. Recent signings haven’t quite lived up to expectations.

It’s a far cry from the glory days, when Atlético’s striker lineup included the likes of Agüero, Falcao, Diego Costa, and Fernando Torres—all lethal and perfectly suited to Diego Simeone’s tactical demands. Whether Álvarez becomes the next great striker or turns out to be another expensive gamble remains to be seen. But Crickex Login believes his talent and work ethic—especially under a fellow Argentine like Simeone—make failure unlikely.