Pep Guardiola had no time for pussyfooting around in addressing Julian Alvarez\u2019s transfer update message that he\u2019s giving thought to his Manchester City future as he is in need of more playing time in the big matches.<\/p>\n
No player had featured more for City\u00a0last season, but Alvarez invariably found himself out of the starting XI when Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne returned from injury. Having spent the summer with Argentina first at the Copa America and then the Olympics, the forward made headlines by stating that he will ‘start thinking about what I want for myself’ when he finishes international duty.<\/p>\n
“Last season I was one of the players who played the most minutes in the team. But it’s true: in the end, in important games, you don’t like being left out and you want to contribute.”<\/p>\n
Atletico Madrid, although showing interest in the Argentine \u2013 who added the Copa America to his long list of trophies this summer \u2013have not made any offer as City would obviously be demanding a considerable fee for a player with a contract until 2028.<\/p>\n
Well aware of the striker\u2019s comments, Guardiola gave a stern answer when asked whether City would seek a replacement for the forward. Guardiola\u2019s reply to the Alvarez situation was simple and curt with no frills.<\/p>\n
“He said he’d think about it. When he finished thinking about it, his agent is going to call Txiki and we see what happens,” the manager said.<\/p>\n
“I know he wants to play important moments, yeah. But the other ones [do] too. 18, 19 players as well want to play the big games. I read he wants to think about it. Okay, think about it and after that he will inform us what he wants to do.<\/p>\n
“He plays a lot, he wants more? That’s fine. That why, think about it. When he thinks about it he’ll inform us.”<\/p>\n
Guardiola at the same time also offered an update on Kevin De Bruyne’s future, having stated last week that the Belgian is ‘not leaving’ amid interest from the Saudi Pro League.<\/p>\n
However the gaffer admitted that the Belgian may still depart, but has earned the right to dictate how he wants to end his City career. And he reiterated that he expects his talisman to be at the club for the new season.<\/p>\n
He explained: “The club inform me that they didn’t get an offer. To leave needs an offer. I don’t know what is going happen but I’d love for him to stay.<\/p>\n
“Like what happen with David [Silva] and the other players. He earned the credit to decide his future for himself. For what he has done for this club is massive. That’s why he has to decide. The info I have right now he is going to stay.”<\/p>\n
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