Manchester City's director of football Txiki Begiristain described Julian Alvarez as a born winner after sanctioning his €95million (£81.5m) move to Atletico Madrid.

Atleti will pay an initial €75m (£64.5m) plus €20m (£17m) in add-ons for the Argentina international, who has penned a six-year contract with the Spanish giants.

His departure, which has netted City a club-record transfer fee, comes after two successful seasons with the club, with whom he won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup.

Alvarez scored 36 goals in 103 appearances for Pep Guardiola's side, with 19 of those coming in 54 outings last season, the forward playing more games than any other City player.

Alvarez also helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup during his time at the Etihad Stadium, and Begiristain has nothing but warm wishes for him as he departs.

"Everyone at Manchester City wishes Julian all the very best with the next stage of his career – he has been a pleasure to work with," he told the club's website.

"His attitude has been first-class since he first walked through the door here. That's why he has improved so much.

"The trophies he has won already tell their own story – he is a winner. I look forward to watching him develop further in the remainder of his career."

Last week, City boss Guardiola confirmed Alvarez had indicated a desire to test himself in another league, and he will now look to end Los Colchoneros' three-year wait for a major trophy upon linking up with Diego Simeone's team.

"Today I say goodbye to this amazing club, with a lot of emotion," Alvarez said in a farewell statement. 

"These have been two very special years. During this time, I have grown and learnt a lot - both as a player and as a person.

"To the directors and the technical staff, thank you for your confidence and support. Your teachings and vision have helped me to develop so much.

"To my team-mates, thank you for every moment we have shared, for the effort and dedication in every training session and every match. I have learnt a lot from each and every one of you and I remain with memories and friendships that will last forever.

"To the fans, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the great support and for making me feel at home from the very first day. I will always be extremely proud to have been part of this family.

"Manchester City will always have a special place in my heart. I wish you every success in the future and I will keep on supporting the club wherever I may be."

Julian Alvarez has left Manchester City to join Atletico Madrid in a deal reportedly worth a potential €95million (£81.5m).

The Spanish club will pay an initial €75m (£64.5m) up front and then a further €20m (£17m) in possible add-ons.

Alvarez has made 103 appearances in two seasons for City since joining from Argentine giants River Plate in 2022.

A World Cup winner with Argentina, Alvarez has won two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, the Super Cup and the Club World Cup during his time in Manchester.

The 24-year-old, who helped Argentina win the Copa America this summer before representing his country at the Paris Olympics, featured in 54 games in all competitions for City last season, more than any other player, though 15 of those were substitute appearances.

Alvarez scored 19 goals, outperforming his 17.5 expected goals (xG) while contributing 13 assists, a tally only bettered by Kevin De Bruyne with 17.

However, City boss Pep Guardiola confirmed Alvarez wanted to test himself with a new challenge at Atleti, where he has signed a six-year deal.

His departure marks a club-record sale for City.

Atletico had already strengthened their attack following the departures of Alvaro Morata and Memphis Depay with the signing of Alexander Sorloth from Villarreal.

They have also agreed a deal to sign midfielder Conor Gallagher from Chelsea as Diego Simeone looks to bolster his squad for next season.

Meanwhile, Atleti are reportedly in talks with the Blues over a deal for Joao Felix, after Samu Omorodion's proposed move to Stamford Bridge fell through.

Conor Gallagher has arrived in Madrid to complete his reported £33.7million move to Atletico Madrid from Chelsea. 

Gallagher, who captained Chelsea to European football last season under Mauricio Pochettino, is set to sign a five-year deal with the eight-time La Liga champions. 

The England international will be the club's third major signing following the captures of Real Sociedad's Robin Le Normand and Villarreal's Alexander Sorloth. 

Gallagher will become only the second Englishman to play for Atleti after Kieran Trippier, who won the league under Diego Simeone during the 2020-21 season. 

The 24-year-old made 95 appearances for Chelsea, 50 of which came last season, scoring 10 goals and adding 10 assists in that time. 

Chelsea are set to take their spending beyond the £150million mark, with Atletico's Samu Omorodion expected to join Enzo Maresca's side in the coming days. 

The Blues have also reportedly agreed a £54million deal for Wolves' Pedro Neto, with those two potential signings adding to the eight new faces at Stamford Bridge. 

Pep Guardiola says Julian Alvarez "wants a new challenge" as he seemingly confirmed the striker would be leaving Manchester City.

Reports earlier this week said City had agreed a club-record sale for Alvarez to Atletico Madrid, with the Spanish club expected to pay £81.5million.

Alvarez featured in 54 games in all competitions for the Citizens last season, more than any other player, though 15 of those were substitute appearances.

However, while away with Argentina at the Paris Olympics, he voiced his frustration at a lack of playing time in the big games for City, often missing out on a place to Erling Haaland.

Guardiola made it clear after those comments that he was keen to try and keep Alvarez at the club but has now passed his well-wishes to him ahead of his anticipated exit.

"First of all, I want to say my gratitude for Julian. We won everything, his contribution has been massive," Guardiola said ahead of City's Community Shield meeting with Manchester United, via Sam Lee.

"He was incredibly loved by the team for his behaviour but if he wants to leave, a new challenge — Atletico is a top club — then if you want to leave, it's okay. We wish him the best.

"I learned a lot from him, hopefully he can find what he was looking for.

"I don't know the reason why, he said to me, he wants a new challenge, he feels it's what he needs to do. Last season he played a lot, at some moments with Erling, but I understand in certain moments he didn't play.

"I said to the club many times, at the end, the club has the end decision, but I say that contracts can be broken. If you are not happy, why should you be here? He believes his period here must be over, so okay, both clubs arrived at an agreement and that's all."

Alvarez was a useful player for Guardiola, often being utilised as an attacking midfielder as well as a centre-forward.

He scored 19 goals last season, outperforming his 17.5 expected goals (xG) while also contributing 13 assists, a tally bettered only by Kevin De Bruyne (17). Only Phil Foden (107) created more chances than Alvarez (98).

His departure could leave a big gap in the squad, and Guardiola insisted he is not yet sure who they will bring in as his replacement.

"I don't know yet, we talk every day, we'll see what will happen," Guardiola added. "It could happen, it could not happen. We will see."

Atletico Madrid have completed the signing of Alexander Sorloth from Villarreal in a deal reportedly worth €35million.

Sorloth joins Atleti on the back of scoring 26 goals in 41 games in all competitions in his only season at Villarreal.

A highlight of last term came in May, when he scored four goals in just 17 minutes in a 4-4 draw with Real Madrid.

Atleti were in the market for a striker after Alvaro Morata's move to Milan and following their release of Memphis Depay.

Sorloth, who has 53 caps for Norway, was second only to Artem Dovbyk when it came to LaLiga goals last season, netting 23 times in total.

The 28-year-old endured a difficult spell in England when he moved to Crystal Palace in January 2018, scoring just one goal in 20 appearances, but his career was revitalised by a loan to Trabzonspor, where he scored 24 league goals in 34 league games.

He subsequently moved to RB Leipzig before two spells on loan at Real Sociedad where he netted 24 times in 90 games before he signed for Villarreal in the summer of 2023.  

Sorloth's aerial prowess could be of real use for Diego Simeone's side. Indeed, he scored more headed goals (seven) than any other player in LaLiga last season.

Dovbyk was another target for Atleti, but the Ukraine international has instead joined Roma.

Sorloth has penned a four-year deal with Atleti, who are also pushing to sign Julian Alvarez from Manchester City.

Robin Le Normand has completed his move from Real Sociedad to Atletico Madrid, the 11-time La Liga champions confirmed on Saturday. 

Le Normand, who featured in all but one of Spain's record fourth European Championship winning campaign, has signed a five-year deal for a reported £25million fee. 

The 27-year-old made 43 appearances in all competitions for La Real last season, keeping 15 clean sheets and scoring twice. 

Le Normand arrives as part of a defensive shakeup for Diego Simeone, with Mario Hermoso, Gabriel Paulista, Stefan Savic and Caglar Soyuncu all leaving the club. 

The Spaniard won 165 of his 275 contested duels in La Liga last season with a success rate of 60%, the highest within the Sociedad squad. 

Atletico are expected to continue to recruit across all areas of the pitch, with Chelsea's Conor Gallagher of interest to the Spanish side. 

Atletico Madrid have "reached an agreement" with Real Sociedad over the signing of Robin Le Normand.

The Spain defender, who was part of the side that won Euro 2024, will finalise his move to Atleti "in the coming days" for a fee believed to be in the region of €34.5million.

French-born Le Normand started his career with Brest before spending eight years with Txuri-Urdin, for whom he made 221 senior appearances across all competitions, while winning the 2019-20 Copa del Rey.

The 27-year-old is fresh from international success in Germany, where he played in six of Spain's seven matches, while he also helped La Roja win the Nations League last year.

A statement on Atletico's official website read: "Atletico and Sociedad have reached an agreement for the transfer of Le Normand. The deal will be finalised in the coming days when the player returns from his holiday.

Meanwhile, Sociedad wrote on X: "We'll always remember his dedication and gratitude to the colours that have shaped him into the player he is today. Good luck."

Milan have completed the signing of Spain captain Alvaro Morata from Atletico Madrid.

The striker, who will wear the number seven shirt with the Rossoneri, has put pen to paper on a four-year deal at San Siro, with the option of an additional year.

Morata is fresh from leading Spain to their record-breaking fourth European Championship triumph at Euro 2024, following a 2-1 victory over England in the final.

The 31-year-old becomes Paulo Fonseca's first major signing since replacing Stefano Pioli in the Milan dugout.

This will be Morata's second spell in Italy, having scored 59 goals in 185 appearances across two separate stints with Juventus, where he won successive Serie A titles in 2015 and 2016.

He could make his debut when Milan host Torino in their opening match of the 2024-25 season on August 17.

Saul Niguez has moved from Atletico Madrid on loan to Sevilla with the option of an extension after the 2024-25 campaign.

Both LaLiga clubs confirmed the transfer agreement on Monday, with each side referencing the "possibility of an extension" past the upcoming season.

The 29-year-old has started just 25 La Liga games across the last two seasons for Atletico, who are reportedly keen to reduce their expenditure on their first-team squad salary.

Reports in Spain suggest the midfielder has a three-year offer from league rivals Sevilla, though a complex transfer means the deal cannot be described as a purchase option with the possibility of a return to Atletico.

Saul made 49 appearances for Diego Simeone's men last season, though starts were limited as Atletico finished fourth in the Spanish top flight.

He has been capped 19 times by Spain and made 23 appearances for Chelsea, his last loan spell in the 2022-23 season before returning to Simeone's team.

Saul's addition marks the fourth arrival in Andalusia, with Arsenal's Albert Sambi Lokonga also loaned, along with moves for Chidera Ejuke and Peque Fernandez.

Barcelona have confirmed the departures of Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo.

Joao Felix, Atletico Madrid's record signing, joined Barca on loan last season, while Cancelo, his compatriot, joined from Manchester City on a similar deal.

Joao Felix played 44 times in all competitions for the Blaugrana. He scored 10 goals and provided six assists.

Reports this week suggested new Barca coach Hansi Flick was keen to keep hold of Joao Felix, but for now the attacker will return to his parent club.

Barca confirmed the news on Sunday, the final day of Joao Felix's loan contract.

Cancelo's departure was also announced. Reports suggest Barca are, as it stands, unwilling to meet City's asking price for the full-back.

Both he and Joao Felix are currently representing Portugal at Euro 2024.

Barca also announced that former Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso would be leaving the club on the expiration of his deal.

The Blaugrana finished second in LaLiga in 2023-24.

Fernando Torres has been named as the new head coach of Atletico Madrid's B team, in a statement released by the LaLiga club on Tuesday. 

The former World Cup-winning Spain striker started his coaching career in 2021 with Atleti's Under-19's side after retiring from professional football two years prior. 

His new role will be his first in senior management and he will succeed Luis Tevenet, who has joined Diego Simeone's senior staff ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. 

"I am at home and I feel an enormous responsibility since I decided to face this new stage," Torres said. "It has been three years of constant learning.

"For me this step is very important and I want to be ambitious to do things better every day, face the challenges that come and the responsibility in the best way and at the same time knowing that I am in no hurry and no need to take a wrong step.

"I accept it as a great challenge with a lot of ambition and the peace of mind of knowing that we are prepared."

The 40-year-old scored more than 100 goals in two spells for the 11-time Spanish champions, and helped his nation win the European Championship in 2008 and 2012. 

Memphis Depay has confirmed he is leaving Atletico Madrid after 18 months at the Civitas Metropolitano.

Depay joined Atleti in a €4million deal last January after struggling to make an impression at Barcelona, initially signing a two-and-a-half-year contract.

However, the Netherlands international – who has been named in Ronald Koeman's squad for Euro 2024 – has now agreed to part ways with the club 12 months early.

Depay scored nine goals in 31 league appearances throughout his time with Atleti, though the form of Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann limited him to just 12 starts.

In a post to X, the attacker hinted the parting was not entirely amicable, writing: "It's not easy to say how I feel about writing this message because I feel that things could’ve been very different.

"Maybe it's better to keep that conversation for another time… 

"To Atleti, my team-mates, the staff and especially the fans, I want to thank you for the energy and support I've experienced in my time being an Atleti player. 

"I keep the good memories close to my heart. Gracias."

Samuel Lino believes Atletico Madrid's final-day victory over Real Sociedad will provide them with a timely boost heading into next season.

Diego Simeone's side ran out 2-0 winners at Reale Arena in their final match of the 2023-24 campaign. Lino opened the scoring after just nine minutes, while Reinildo sealed the points in second-half stoppage time.

However, despite a fourth-place finish in LaLiga, it brought the curtain down on a third successive trophyless season for Atleti, who will finish at least 18 points adrift of champions Real Madrid.

Los Rojiblancos fell to Borussia Dortmund following a 5-4 aggregate defeat in the Champions League quarter-finals, while they were soundly beaten by Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey semi-finals.

But Lino, who had his fourth direct goal involvement in three appearances (one goal, three assists), thinks a hard-earned win against their sixth-place opponents - a fourth success in five games - will give him and his team-mates positive momentum to build on next season.

"It was an important victory to finish the season well," he told Movistar Plus. "We were good, focused, played a good game and that's what we wanted.

"Overall, we were not within the club's objectives, but we finished well, and now we have to switch off. A win away from home could help us to come back strong next season."

Atletico Madrid ended their LaLiga campaign with a 2-0 win at Real Sociedad on Saturday thanks to a first-half strike by Brazilian winger Samuel Lino and a stoppage-time Reinildo tap-in.

Atletico, who had already secured fourth place and a spot in next season's Champions League, finished the season on 76 points, 11 ahead of Athletic Bilbao in fifth.

Meanwhile, sixth-placed La Real have qualified for the Europa League.

Runaway champions Real Madrid are top of the standings on 94 points, 12 points ahead of second-placed Barcelona and 13 clear of Girona in third.

Atletico took the lead in the ninth minute after Marcos Llorente burst up the right wing and delivered a low cross to the far post for Lino, who netted with a tidy finish past Alex Remiro.

Remiro and Atletico's keeper Jan Oblak made several saves before Atletico were reduced to 10 men after Saul Niguez was shown a second yellow card in the 92nd minute.

In the last move of the match, Atletico secured the three points on a counter-attack led by Alvaro Morata, who delivered a perfectly placed cross for substitute Reinildo to tap into the empty net.

Data debrief

Diego Simeone's men ended the campaign with four wins in their last five league outings, and their performance was very much worth the three points against La Real.

Atletico accumulated 2.31 xG (expected goals) to the hosts' 0.59, scoring their 10th and 11th goals in their last six matches to end the season on a high.

Diego Simeone believes Atletico Madrid have fallen short of their objectives this season, but conceded it is difficult to compete with the "best team in the world" in Real Madrid.

Although they are set for a fourth-place finish in LaLiga, Los Rojiblancos are 21 points adrift of Carlo Ancelotti's newly crowned champions. 

Atleti fell to Borussia Dortmund following a 5-4 aggregate defeat in the Champions League quarter-finals, while they were soundly beaten by Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey semi-finals.

And as a third successive trophyless season comes to pass at the Metropolitano Stadium, Simeone admits his side could have done better.

"We have the responsibility to get into the Champions League every year. You can be left out, but you can also be champions," he told reporters ahead of Atletico's final LaLiga game of the campaign against Real Sociedad.

"But with Real Madrid, who are the best team in the world and will continue to be because they have rejuvenated the squad, it is not easy.

"We have to keep working at 120 per cent because 100 per cent is not enough, and 80 per cent is even less to be able to get closer to them, keeping in mind that those below us are also improving.

"We were close to the Copa del Rey final and were expecting to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League. We created the illusion of being in a possible final, and we weren't able to do it, so now we have to think about what comes next to improve things.

"I have had players who have allowed me to compete as we have done since I arrived, and a coaching staff where everyone who has walked this path has given maximum effort. There is always room for improvement and growth."