Would Manchester City move for a Crystal Palace star if Julian Alvarez departs? | OneFootball

One of the biggest question marks for Manchester City during the remaining weeks of the transfer window is the future of Julian Alvarez. What happens with the Argentinian international could shape City’s summer. But if Alvarez does depart how could City replace him? Would they go for a like-for-like replacement or a different type of player? That seems to be the question. With that in mind could Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze be City’s man to replace Julian Alvarez? It doesn’t seem to be too far-fetched an idea on closer inspection.

As a player, Eberechi Eze has the versatility to play in several roles if he were to arrive at Manchester City. As per transfermarkt.com, the England international has played in a variety of roles across his career. Eze has played on both wings, through the middle and upfront on the rare occasion. He has the versatility and the quality to be a reliable option for Manchester City if the champions were to move for the Crystal Palace star.

One issue, however, appears to be that Manchester City are well stocked for players similar to Eberechi Eze. Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva can all play through the middle or just behind Erling Haaland. On the wings, the champions have a plethora of quality options. Jack Grealish, Savinho, Jeremy Doku and Oscar Bobb. That’s the quality of player Eze would be competing with if he were to arrive at the Etihad this summer. Eze is a quality player in his own right and would bring something different to Manchester City. But any Manchester City move for the England international is entirely dependent on what happens with Julian Alvarez. That is the elephant in the room of Manchester City’s summer.

Any move for Eze or any other player to replace Julian Alvarez depends on what he decides to do this summer.

Before Manchester City make any moves to replace Julian Alvarez there needs to be a decision made by the World Cup winner over his future. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has reported via X that the agent of Alvarez is due in Europe next week to discuss his future. Furthermore, Romano adds that Manchester City could let Alvarez leave this summer. But they will only accept important bids Romano further reports. Lastly, he adds that PSG and Atletico Madrid are interested in signing the striker.

Romano’s report indicates that isn’t impossible that Manchester City could lose Julian Alvarez this summer. The information of Romano also matches up with a report from Jack Gaughan and Jeorge Bird for the Daily Mail. Their report indicates that Atletico Madrid have opened talks with Manchester City over a deal for Alvarez. They also report that PSG maintains an interest in signing Julian Alvarez. Based on those two reports Manchester City may be forced into the market to sign a replacement for Julian Alvarez.

Summary

It does appear that the chances are growing that Manchester City will be forced to look for a replacement for Julian Alvarez this summer. If that proves to be the case how the champions attempt to do that will be fascinating to see unfold. Will they go for a like-for-like replacement or find a versatile attacking player like Eberechi Eze? If they choose to go for the second option then the Crystal Palace star may be the ideal player for the job. Dominic Hogan has previously reported for the Daily Mail that Manchester City have an interest in signing Eberechi Eze. So if Alvarez does depart City the reported interest may be acted upon. That’s if the champions don’t decide to sign a like-for-like replacement for the World Cup winner.