Manchester City look set to beat their rivals Manchester United to a January transfer, with the move reportedly hours away from being agreed.
City are flying at the top of the Premier League table, with the defending champions now 11 points clear of their closest rivals Liverpool.
More good news came Pep Guardiola's way this week, with Algeria's surprise elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations meaning Riyad Mahrez will be back from Cameroon sooner than expected.
With City having scored 54 goals in the league already this season, even without a natural number nine, it might be considered they don't need to sign another forward.
However it looks like they will beat United to the signing of highly rated River Plate star Julian Alvarez, with Argentinian journalist Veronica Brunati claiming the move could be made official in the 'coming hour.'
Last month it was claimed that Ralf Rangnick's team were considering a move for the 21-year-old early in the window, to ensure paying a cheaper release clause.
Friday's report says that Guardiola's side will pay up to £21 million for the forward, with some of that reportedly coming via bonuses.
Alvarez, who had a goal mysteriously stopped by the 'spirit of Diego Maradona,' won't move to City to help them boost their title race however, not that it needs any boost right now, and will stay on loan until at River until at least the summer.
After that he could remain in Argentina, join up with Guardiola's squad or go out on another loan, this time to one of the other team's inside the City Football Group.
Staying with River for now means playing in the start of their Copa Libertadores campaign and he may want to remain with them until the end of the year if there is a chance to win the prestigious tournament.
Alvarez, who made his debut with River in 2018, scored 20 goals in 35 league appearances in 2021 and can play either out wide or in the central areas.
City lost Sergio Aguero last summer to Barcelona, before the club legend was forced to retire, and then sold Ferran Torres to the Catalan giants at the beginning of this year, their replacement for Aguero.
They have strongly been linked with a summer move for Erling Haaland, having missed out on Harry Kane last summer, and the signing of Alvarez isn't expected to change any desire to sign the Borussia Dortmund star.
Topics: Manchester City, Manchester United, River Plate, Transfers, Argentina, Premier League
Ryan Sidle