Man Utd ready to pay £125m for ‘incredible’ striker Man City sold for £64m

In recent months, Manchester United has been exploring potential moves in the transfer market to bolster its squad ahead of the summer 2025 transfer window. One of the key positions under scrutiny by the club’s management is the striker role. Despite having several attacking options, Manchester United has struggled to consistently score goals this season, which has led to concerns over the long-term effectiveness of their current front line. As a result, the club is looking to secure a top-quality striker to spearhead its attack. One player who has come to the forefront of their search is Julian Alvarez, a former Manchester City player who currently plays for Atletico Madrid.
To understand the rationale behind Manchester United’s pursuit of Julian Alvarez, it’s essential to assess their current situation. The club has faced difficulties in front of goal this season, with only 28 goals scored in their first 24 Premier League matches. Despite having players such as Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee in their ranks, Manchester United has struggled to find the back of the net with regularity. To put this into perspective, even teams near the relegation zone, such as Wolves, have managed to score more goals than Manchester United.
The lack of clinical finishing has been a major factor contributing to United’s inconsistent results this season. The team has shown flashes of brilliance in their attacking play but has often faltered when it comes to converting chances into goals. For a club of Manchester United’s stature, this has been a disappointing turn of events. With the current strike force not meeting expectations, the club has realized the urgent need to sign a proven, high-quality striker to propel them forward in both domestic and European competitions.
The future of Rasmus Hojlund has been a topic of much debate in recent months. The 22-year-old Danish forward is still in the early stages of his career and is developing as a player, but there is uncertainty regarding his long-term role at Old Trafford. While Hojlund has shown flashes of potential, his performances have been inconsistent, and there are concerns about his ability to be the focal point of Manchester United’s attack in the long run. Reports suggest that West Ham United has shown interest in Hojlund, which only adds to the speculation surrounding his future at the club.
Similarly, Joshua Zirkzee, who is just a year older than Hojlund, has also faced questions about his future at Manchester United. The 23-year-old Dutch forward has struggled to make a significant impact since joining the club, and Juventus is reportedly monitoring his situation. With both Hojlund and Zirkzee’s futures up in the air, Manchester United finds itself in need of a reliable, proven goal scorer to lead the line.
In light of these uncertainties, Manchester United has turned its attention to Julian Alvarez, the Argentine striker who left Manchester City for Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2024. Alvarez’s name has been frequently mentioned in United’s transfer discussions as the club looks to strengthen its attacking options. The 25-year-old forward has made a name for himself with his consistent performances in La Liga, and Manchester United has reportedly identified him as the ideal player to lead their attacking line for the foreseeable future.
Julian Alvarez’s move to Atletico Madrid has proven to be a resounding success. Since joining the Spanish club for a reported £64 million, Alvarez has continued to develop into one of the most exciting young forwards in Europe. In the 2024/2025 season, Alvarez has scored 17 goals and provided four assists in 36 appearances for Atletico Madrid. His all-around performances have earned him widespread acclaim, and his ability to find the back of the net with both feet and his head has made him one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe.
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has praised Alvarez’s work ethic and clinical finishing, while his teammates have spoken highly of his professionalism and dedication. Alvarez’s contributions have been vital to Atletico’s attacking play, and his ability to operate in various positions across the front line has made him a versatile and valuable asset for the team.
Before his move to Atletico Madrid, Julian Alvarez enjoyed a successful spell at Manchester City. The Argentine forward joined City in 2022 after an impressive stint at River Plate, and he quickly adapted to life in the Premier League. During his time at City, Alvarez became known for his speed, agility, and clinical finishing. Over the course of 103 appearances for the club, he scored 36 goals and provided 17 assists, solidifying his reputation as one of the most promising young forwards in Europe.
City manager Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Alvarez during his time at the club, describing him as “an incredible player.” Alvarez’s contributions were crucial to City’s success in both domestic and international competitions, and his ability to play alongside world-class players such as Erling Haaland made him an even more valuable asset to the team.
With the 2025 summer transfer window on the horizon, Manchester United is reportedly prepared to make a huge bid for Julian Alvarez. According to reports, the Red Devils are willing to pay a transfer fee of €150 million (£125 million) to bring the striker to Old Trafford. This would represent a significant investment in the club’s future and a major statement of intent from Manchester United as they look to reassert themselves as a dominant force in English and European football.
Alvarez is viewed by Manchester United’s management as the ideal candidate to lead their attack moving forward. His combination of technical ability, physicality, and tactical awareness makes him an attractive option for a team looking to play a high-pressing, attacking style of football. The club is reportedly willing to make Alvarez the centerpiece of their attacking setup, and the Argentine international is seen as a player who could help United challenge for major honors in the coming years
While Atletico Madrid is keen to hold onto Alvarez, the club could be tempted to sell if Manchester United’s £125 million offer materializes. Atletico Madrid’s financial situation could influence their decision, as the club may find it difficult to reject such a substantial sum for a player who is still in the early stages of his career. The Madrid-based club has a history of selling key players for significant profits, and Alvarez could follow in the footsteps of other high-profile departures if the right offer comes in.
Atletico Madrid’s reluctance to part with one of their best players is understandable, as Alvarez has become a key figure in their attack. However, the allure of a £125 million transfer fee could prove too enticing for the Spanish club to turn down. The fact that Manchester United is willing to make such a large financial commitment to secure Alvarez’s services highlights the level of interest the player has generated in European football.
As a former Manchester City player, Alvarez may face a dilemma regarding a potential move to Manchester United. While his move to Atletico Madrid was driven by the desire for more playing time and a fresh challenge, returning to the Premier League with United would be a significant decision. The rivalry between Manchester City and Manchester United is well-documented, and Alvarez’s decision to join United would undoubtedly raise eyebrows among fans and pundits alike.
Despite the potential complexities surrounding a move to United, Alvarez has shown in the past that he is not afraid to make bold decisions in his career. His move from River Plate to Manchester City was a testament to his ambition and desire to play at the highest level, and his subsequent transfer to Atletico Madrid reflected his desire for more regular first-team football. A move to Manchester United would represent another significant step in Alvarez’s career, and he would likely be motivated by the opportunity to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
While Julian Alvarez is reportedly the primary target for Manchester United, the club has also been linked with other potential striker signings. Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is one player who has attracted interest from United. Vardy’s experience and ability to score goals make him an intriguing option for United, although his age and potential wage demands could be factors that make this move less likely.
Additionally, Manchester United has been linked with Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, who is also being pursued by Chelsea. Delap, who has impressed in the Championship, is considered a potential future star, and United could look to bring him in as part of their long-term plans. Another player on United’s radar is Portuguese forward Rodrigo Mora, who has been making waves at FC Porto. The 17-year-old has shown promise as an attacking midfielder or winger, and United’s scouts have reportedly taken a keen interest in his development
The summer of 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in Manchester United’s rebuilding process. With the club looking to challenge for major honors once again, securing a world-class striker is a top priority. Whether it is Julian Alvarez or another target, Manchester United must make strategic moves in the transfer market to ensure that they have the firepower to compete at the highest level.
The club’s interest in Alvarez, combined with their other striker targets, suggests that they are committed to strengthening their squad in the coming months. For Manchester United fans, the prospect of a new striker leading the line is an exciting one, and the summer transfer window promises to be an important period in the club’s quest to return to the pinnacle of English and European football.