Alvarez is ‘absolutely Man City’s player’

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola described Julian Alvarez as “absolutely our player” as he deflected questions about the Argentina striker’s future.

Alvarez has been strongly linked with a move to Atletico Madrid and Guardiola was asked about the 24-year-old after City’s 4-2 win over Chelsea at Ohio Stadium.

“No news. I don’t have anything to say. He will come back,” Guardiola said.

Sources have told BBC Sport that there have been talks between City and Atletico over Alvarez but there has been no bid.

Alvarez, whose City contract runs until 2028, has been playing for Argentina at the Paris Olympics and said before they were knocked out by France that he would make a decision on his future after the Games.

Guardiola added: “I count on him, but he said in the news that decisions will be made all together. Now he has to rest and when he feels ready to come back he will come back.

“I’m sure when he comes back I’ll hug and congratulate him for the Copa America, for the Olympics and we will start to work together. This is the reality.

“What happens in the meantime, I have a thousand million things to think about the team.

“Next week we play for the first trophy of the season [the Community Shield against Manchester United at Wembley]. Two weeks we play at Stamford Bridge again, that’s my only concern.”

City finish their US tour having avoided any major injuries, Guardiola saying that Rico Lewis was substituted against Chelsea suffering with cramp while goalkeeper Ederson was left out because of “niggles”

Both are expected to be available to face United in the Community Shield next week, before the Premier League season starts with a match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.