Pep Guardiola says January signing Julian Alvarez is good enough to join the Manchester City squad this month, but the club decided he would be better remaining at River Plate on loan.
Argentine international Alvarez, 22, signed for City on deadline day for £14.1m, and will remain at River Plate until July.
There have been claims that he could stay longer until the end of 2022, but Guardiola confirmed the plan is for Alvarez to be part of City's pre-season squad this summer.
Alvarez was named the South American Footballer of the Year last year, and featured for Argentina in last week's international break. His task for the rest of the season is to help River progress in the Copa Libertadores and continue his fine form before linking up with his new teammates at City.
Reflecting on the transfer for the first time since it was announced, Guardiola said: "Congratulations for Manchester City, they work to be in the present but of course for the future.
"It's a player that could be already with us right now but we have enough players in that position, I don't like to have too many players in several positions. The best is to stay in River Plate, he's done incredibly well the last years with Marcelo Gallardo and his teammates."
Regarding City's plan for Alvarez, Guardiola confirmed he will join the squad ahead of the 2022/23 season.
"In the next pre-season he'll be with us, after we'll decide what happens," Guardiola said.
"In pre-season, every season the squad moves. I am personally and we are really pleased to have this talented young player for the next years."
