Romano reveals Man United had "real" chance of signing Man City star - manager "really wanted" player

Prominent journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed how Man United battled to complete the signing of Julian Alvarez before his Man City move.

Alvarez moved to City from River Plate in January, completing a transfer for a fee of around £14 million. He signed a five-and-a-half year contract until the summer of 2027.

Citizens fans did not see Alvarez play for them in the first six months of his deal, however. That is because, as part of the transfer, the club agreed to loan the 21-year-old striker back to River until July.

Alvarez then hit the headlines in May, when he smashed in six goals in an 8-1 win against Alianza Lima in the Copa Libertadores.

Since arriving at the Etihad Stadium, Alvarez has two Premier League goals to his name, having scored a brace in the 6-0 win over Nottingham Forest in August.

He started up front in City's 1-0 victory over Leicester on Saturday in the absence of Erling Haaland, but did not get on the scoresheet.

And Romano has explained how, had things gone differently, Alvarez may not currently be a City player.

Romano on Man United, Alvarez interest

Speaking on The United Stand's YouTube channel, Romano discussed the list of transfer targets that former interim boss Ralf Rangnick gave to United chiefs ahead of the January and summer transfer windows.

Last week, Rangnick told German outlet BILD (via Manchester Evening News) that he had a shortlist of six targets, including new City forward Haaland, RB Leipzig duo Josko Gvardiol and Christopher Nkunku, and ex-Porto and current Liverpool winger Luis Diaz.

But another name previously reported as being on United's shortlist is Alvarez. And Romano has revealed how close the Red Devils, and Rangnick, were to bringing in the 21-year-old.

He said: "For Man United, some of his [targets] were not available at that point.

"Dusan Vlahovic was a player he wanted at Manchester United. But he wanted to go to Juventus, because he wanted to play Champions League football, so it was impossible to compete with Juventus.

"I think also, for Luis Diaz, it was impossible to compete with Liverpool because of Champions League football.

"I think the only one where they had the real possibility to sign a player, with Ralf Rangnick, is Julian Alvarez. Because Julian Alvarez was a player that Ralf Rangnick really wanted.

"But United decided not to proceed, and he joined Manchester City. That was a real possibility for United, but they decided for a different kind of strategy."

Since their decision not to pursue Alvarez, United have yet to add a centre forward to their squad. Whether they succeed in signing one in the upcoming transfer windows remains to be seen.