Manchester City Newbie Julian Alvarez Wins Best Player In South America Award

Incoming Manchester City signing Julian Alvarez has won the Best Player in South America award after an amazing season for River Plate.

Much of the talk around Manchester City and their business in the upcoming transfer window in recent months has centred around Erling Haaland.

The Premier League champions have confirmed a deal in place with Borussia Dortmund that will see the 21-year-old striker link up with the club the Norwegian supported as a child ahead of next season.

The impending arrival of one of the most exciting names in world football has gathered the attention of the media and fans alike but Pep Guardiola’s side have a brand new signing made prior to Haaland - that is also yet to link up with the club.

River Plate and Argentina forward Julian Alvarez signed for the Citizens for a reported £14 million from River Plate on a five-and-a-half year deal on the final day of the January transfer window.

Alvarez has enjoyed a brilliant season with his boyhood side, with the 22-year-old loaned back to River for the second half of the previous campaign to stay on and finish the season in his home country.

City’s new signing has racked up impressive goal contribution numbers since his rise through the academy ranks at River Plate, even netting six times in his current side's 8-1 rout of Alianza Lima last month.

Alvarez’s efforts and form he showed last season have been rewarded as the young attacker picked up the 2022 Best Player in South America award this week - little surprise to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola - who already told the Argentinian he would win the award months ago.

Julián Álvarez has been presented with the Best Player in South America award. 🇦🇷⭐️

Álvarez: “I talked to [Pep] Guardiola in February, and he congrulated me on this award...” [via @el_pais/@AlbicelesteTalk] pic.twitter.com/tnA1vyjgCQ

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) June 9, 2022

As quoted by El Pais, Alvarez said: “I talked to (Pep) Guardiola in February, and he congratulated me on this award," as translated and relayed by All About Argentina.

It is clear the Premier League champions will once again form a formidable frontline with the introduction of Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland, with Manchester City excited about the prospect after playing the main part of two seasons without a striker.