How Alvarez became Europe's most sought-after striker

How Alvarez became Europe's most sought-after strikerImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Julian Alvarez has scored 49 goals since joining Atletico MadridByShamoon HafezFootball reporterPublished10 June 2026100 CommentsJulian Alvarez heads to the World Cup aiming to fire Argentina to back-to-back triumphs amid the distraction of being the subject of one of the most sensational transfer bids ever made.The 26-year-old is at the centre of an intriguing three-way La Liga tug-of-war, with current club Atletico Madrid trying to keep hold of their prized asset while rivals Real and Barcelona attempt to snatch him away.Real president Florentino Perez made good on his election promise to make a 150m euro offer for an unnamed "galactico" player who, it transpired, after much speculation, was Alvarez. But that astonishing bid was laughed off by counterparts across the city.So why is Alvarez so coveted by the La Liga giants and is he worth the £130m Real have tabled?Real Madrid's £130m Alvarez bid rejectedPublished9 JuneUnhappy playing second fiddle at Man CityAlvarez became a fan favourite during his two-year stay at Manchester City, where he won six major trophies and played a role in the Treble-winning team.But the striker wanted to leave Etihad Stadium as he was unhappy at playing a deputy role to Erling Haaland, instead wanting to be the main man elsewhere.Former City boss Pep Guardiola was always open in his view that wantaway players were free to leave, providing the asking price was met.In August 2024, Atletico agreed an £81.5m deal to sign Alvarez, providing City with a hefty profit on a player they signed for only £14.1m and one that became their most expensive sale."There was never any kind of problem," Alvarez said, external in a podcast last year. "I simply told him [Guardiola] how I felt - that I wanted more minutes in some matches where I knew I wouldn't get them or simply wasn't getting them."Of course he und...