Man City set to beat rivals Man Utd to £17m transfer for prolific Argentina wonderkid Julian Alvarez from...
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MANCHESTER CITY are closing in on a deal for River Plate’s Argentina international forward Julian Alvarez.
The 21-year-old – who is rated at around £17million by his club – has previously been linked with Manchester United.
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But neighbours City have moved ahead in the race for his signature.
And reports in South America suggest a deal is close.
Alvarez is likely to spend the remainder of the season with River Plate as part of the agreement.
Then City would decide whether he links up with Pep Guardiola’s squad or joins one of the other teams in the City Football Group initially.
He has enjoyed an outstanding season in Argentina – scoring 18 goals and laying on seven assists in just 21 games so far.
Alvarez is capable of playing out wide or down the middle.
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Meanwhile, City’s forgotten man Patrick Roberts has joined League One Sunderland on an initial six-month deal.
The Black Cats have the option of extending it at the end of the season in a deal that could be worth up to £3m.
The winger, 24, leaves the Citizens after seven years and EIGHT loans, with his last coming at French side Troyes.
Roberts, who is available to face Portsmouth on Saturday, said: “I can’t wait to get going.
"I came to the game against Sheffield Wednesday a few weeks ago to get a feel for it and it was great to watch.
"It's something that I wanted to be a part of.
"The fans want you to do well and work hard every matchday and that pressure and expectation is something I thrive off.
"I just want to do well for the people that support me and get Sunderland back to where they belong.”
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