Latest Liverpool transfer news and gossip as a report claims the Reds tried to sign Julian Alvarez before his move to Atletico Madrid
Mark has been a football journalist since 2017 and has contributed to several publications including the Liverpool Echo, Manchester Evening News and football.london. He also spent eight months on the US Sports team for the Mirror US
Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid
Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid(Image: Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Even though the summer transfer window has passed, it's not stopping speculation from swirling about business Liverpool may conduct. In this case, though, one of the latest reports concerns a deal that nearly happened had it not been for a decision by another club.
The Telegraph has reported that Liverpool proposed a swap deal to Manchester City back in 2024 for Julian Alvarez. Had a deal been completed, it would have seen Luis Diaz move to the Etihad Stadium, as was the Colombia international's desire at the time, according to the report.
Man City rejected the approach, the report claims, with Alvarez going on to join Atletico Madrid instead in a deal reportedly worth around £82million. Fast forward to this summer and Diaz went on to sign for Bayern Munich, while Alvarez remains an Atletico player after enjoying an impressive debut season in Spain.
The report is likely to lead to rumours that Liverpool may pursue a move for Alvarez again in the future. Whether that will happen remains to be seen, but it may be unlikely given the arrivals of Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike this summer.
What may offer another hint on the possibility of Liverpool having an interest in Alvarez is a fresh update from Atletico. It was confirmed on Thursday that the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, home stadium for Atletico, has been selected to host the 2027 Champions League final.
Liverpool won the 2019 Champions League final at Atletico's home stadium with a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. The Reds will want to return to the stadium next season in the final of the competition, and Atletico may be extra determined to keep Alvarez at the club in the event they reach the final at their home stadium.
Only time will tell what Liverpool will have planned next, but a move for Alvarez may not be at the forefront of their minds after bringing Isak and Ekitike to the club. And the latest news on the Champions League final may offer added determination from Atletico to keep one of their star assets at the club for at least a couple more years.
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