Man City plans for Julian Alvarez become clearer after agent responds to Ligue 1 suggestion

Julian Alvarez is expected to be part of the Manchester City first-team squad next season after rumours of a loan move to Marseille were bluntly rejected.

Manchester City announced an agreement to sign Alvarez in January, keeping him on loan at River Plate. They have been waiting until the summer to make an assessment over plans for next season.

Alvarez is one of South America’s biggest striking prospects. For River Plate, he has scored 50 goals from 113 appearances.

Hence, Manchester City will have a talent on their hands when he moves to Europe in the summer. At the age of 22, he is ready to compete in a star-studded squad.

However, with Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland arriving, there may be some doubts as to the gametime Alvarez would immediately receive at the Etihad Stadium.

With that in mind, there has been speculation that the Argentina international could go out on loan. A recent report from Foot Mercato suggested Marseille would be interested.

Their president Pablo Longoria was reportedly ready to tell head coach Jorge Sampaoli that he could try to take his compatriot. There was no mention of a formal offer, though.

Besides, the Ligue 1 outfit have quickly learned that their hopes of acquiring Alvarez temporarily are over.

His agent Fernando Hidalgo has confirmed that Alvarez will not be joining Marseille.

“There is no chance that Julian will go to Olympique de Marseille,” Hidalgo told TyC Sports journalist Marcelo Palacios.

Transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano has subsequently confirmed that City, at present, are planning to integrate Alvarez next season.

Given that Gabriel Jesus could be on his way out amid links with Arsenal, that may make sense. Alvarez is at an appropriate age to battle for a