“He cannot be replaced!”, cried Pep Guardiola on the day when Sergio Aguero played his final game for Manchester City. Such was the impact of the now-retired Argentinean attacker on the blue half of Manchester. But just over six months later, it looks like the Citizens will try to replace Aguero after all – and who would be more fitting than another Argentinean with a similar style of play – Julian Alvarez.Saturday, 20.30: (10.0) Southampton (6.25) Man.City (1.30)The 21-year-old is officially the South American Footballer of the Year and that should speak volumes about his quality. According to reports in his homeland, Alvarez has agreed to become a Manchester City player but will remain with Boca Juniors until July. After that, he’s expected to arrive in Manchester and be slowly blended into the team. As per some reports, he might be initially loaned out to another European club so he gains a bit more experience outside Argentina before Guardiola makes him a first-teamer at Etihad Stadium.Alvarez was once targeted by Real Madrid after being spotted in a youth tournament, but his young age proved to be an obstacle in concluding the deal. Instead, the quick forward, now nicknamed The Spider, moved to River Plate, one of the biggest clubs in the Americas. Julian Alvarez? Hmm pic.twitter.com/Qw1koSvR2d— ¹⁰ (@SxrgioSZN) January 21, 2022 He made his River debut at 18 and scored five goals in six Copa Libertadores games in 2020, and last year was called into the Argentina squad for the first of his five caps. He has 34 goals in 95 games for River, including 20 in 35, plus 17 assists, as they won the Argentinian title last season.It’s believed City will pay around $27 million to secure the signature of the promising goalscorer. According to football pundits in Argentina, Alvarez’s ability is such that it makes all those millions a bargain. The time has come to meet The Spider.
