Manchester City attacker Julian Alvarez has reportedly put pen to paper on his Atletico Madrid contract following fears that a deal could fall through.
Atletico, Man City and Chelsea are currently embroiled in a complicated transfer carousel, as players from the Spanish and English capital were supposed to be heading in opposite directions.
As well as Alvarez's switch from Man City, Diego Simeone's side have been trying to conclude a deal for Chelsea's Conor Gallagher, whose signing they have already teased with a picture of him inside the Wanda Metropolitano.
In a separate transaction, albeit one linked to the Gallagher switch, Chelsea were expected to bring 20-year-old striker Samu Omorodion to Stamford Bridge, but it was reported on Sunday that a deal had been plunged into uncertainty due to contract complications.
As things stand, Omoridion's proposed move to Chelsea is off, which could have implications on Gallagher's transfer to Atletico, who are supposedly threatening to pull the plug on that transfer.
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Alvarez deal 'not affected' by Omorodion saga
The Spanish giants were apparently hoping to use the monies raised from Omorodion's move to fund their pursuit of Alvarez, whom they agreed a €95m (£81.3m) fee for with Man City.
The Chelsea saga therefore led to some doubt over the Argentine's move to the Wanda Metropolitano, but according to Fabrizio Romano, Atletico fans have no reason to worry.
The journalist reports that Alvarez's transfer to Simeone's side is unaffected by the Omorodion-Gallagher situation, and he was signing his contract with Atletico on Monday lunchtime.
The former River Plate man has already completed his medical with Los Rojiblancos, who have seen Alvaro Morata leave for AC Milan and Memphis Depay depart as a free agent this summer.
As a result, it is only a matter of time before the Alvarez deal is officially announced, and the 24-year-old will become by far and away the most expensive sale in Citizens' history, surpassing Raheem Sterling's £47.5m Chelsea switch in 2022.
🔴⚪️✍🏻 Julián Álvarez is signing his contract at Atlético Madrid right now!
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 12, 2024
Medical completed and deal not to be affected by Omorodion-issues. pic.twitter.com/XVsMV1Apjb
The World Cup winner departs the Etihad with a record of 36 goals and 18 assists in 103 matches across all competitions, including 19 strikes and 13 assists from 54 contests in the 2023-24 campaign.
Alvarez would have continued to play second fiddle to Erling Haaland in Manchester, though, whereas he should come straight into Simeone's system as Atletico's attacking focal point.
Will Chelsea, Atletico solve Omorodion issue?
As Gallagher is still in the Spanish capital awaiting the latest on developments, Chelsea and Atletico are supposedly discussing another Joao Felix transfer as an emergency solution to the unforeseen complications.
Felix spent the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan at Stamford Bridge, scoring four goals in 20 matches after his relationship with Simeone deteriorated, and all parties are now working on a permanent exit for the Portuguese.
Ben Knapton
