Alvarez wants ‘new challenge’ – Guardiola

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says Julian Alvarez asked to leave the club because he wants a “new challenge”, amid interest from Atletico Madrid.

The Argentina forward, 24, is set to join Diego Simeone’s side in the coming days after City accepted an £81.5m offer.

Guardiola had been keen to keep Alvarez but the fee represents a sharp increase on the £14.1m City paid River Plate for him in 2022.

The Spaniard is unsure whether City will replace Alvarez before the transfer deadline but says he leaves with the club’s best wishes.

“It was a joy to work with him,” said Guardiola.

“I learnt a lot from him and hopefully he can find what he was looking for.”

Pressed on Alvarez’s reasons for leaving, Guardiola added: “He believes his period here must be over so both clubs arrive to an agreement.

“He’s incredibly loved by the team for his behaviour but like I said many times for many players, he wants to leave and have a new challenge.”

The arrival of Erling Haaland in 2022 prompted Gabriel Jesus to leave City and join Arsenal, with Alvarez also seeing his opportunities to start limited by the presence of the prolific Norwegian.

Guardiola said he agreed that having Haaland made it more difficult to sign another striker, but he said City might still try to bring in a forward before the window closes.

He said City may also look at signing another midfielder who could deputise for Rodri and allow the Spain international more rest.

Midfielder Kalvin Phillips returned to City at the end of the season after an unsuccessful loan spell at West Ham and was used at centre-back in a pre-season friendly against Barcelona.

Guardiola said Phillips could start at centre-back against Manchester United in the Community Shield at Wembley on Saturday.

“Kalvin likes to see all the game in front of him and when he is in the middle surrounded by players he struggles a little bit,” said Guardiola.

“He helped us a lot in the last couple of games on tour. I should have seen that before. His confidence is back.”

City finished two points above Arsenal to win their fourth consecutive Premier League title last season, having also beaten the Gunners to the 2022-23 crown.

Guardiola said he was again “concerned” about Mikel Arteta’s side ending City’s reign after watching Arsenal beat German champions Bayer Leverkusen 4-1 in a pre-season friendly.

“I have been concerned for many years with how good they are because every year they are getting better,” Guardiola said.

“I see Arsenal playing at the same level as last season. They are on fire. Every year it looks like they are more and more difficult.”

Guardiola was also asked about the possibility of replacing Gareth Southgate as England boss.

The 53-year-old has been linked to the post since Southgate stood down. His City contract expires in 2025 and he has stated his desire to manage an international team.

“I have to decide what I want to do in my life,” said Guardiola.

“If I want to continue here, take a break, train national teams or not. Right now I am here and as you arrive at the competitions my energy rises again, so I am fully excited for the season because I see things that I like here.”

City are set to take part in the inaugural Club World Cup next summer following the conclusion of the 2024-25 Premier League season.

It means, starting from Saturday’s Community Shield fixture, the club will embark on a 48-week campaign.

Guardiola confirmed Kyle Walker, John Stones, Phil Foden and Rodri will all miss the trip to Wembley following their participation in the Euro 2024 final, and he says there is nothing the club can do about the fixture congestion.

“We try to give them the best rest possible, as much as possible,” he said. “We would like to give them more time.

“Rotate the players as much as possible, game by game and we will see what happens.”