River Plate manager Marcelo Gallardo believes there is a possibility Julian Alvarez may stay at the club until December following his move to Manchester City.
City are expected to mark Alvarez' s 22nd birthday today (Monday) by confirming his arrival on transfer deadline day in a permanent transfer from the Argentine champions.
However, the deal will see the highly-rated striker remain in South America for the short-term, though as of yet it has not been confirmed how long it will be until he moves to Manchester.
Gallardo has given a hint, however, by revealing that Alvarez will likely be staying until June, so he can compete in the first phase of the Argentine Primera Division, which gets underway in February.
And he has also revealed Alvarez could potentially stay until December.
“A huge club came in for him," he told ESPN. "We’re not talking about a second-rate club, but one of the biggest in the world with financial power that’s enabled us to hold on to the play.
"Because at the moment there’s no place for him there. In theory [it’s just] until June and there’s also a chance he might stay until December, but that’s for another day.”
River Plate president Jorge Brito also confirmed the deal was done and said Alvarez would be staying at El Monumental until July.
As quoted by Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Brito said: "We've a full agreement with Manchester City to sell Julian. The deal is done.
"He's going to stay on loan here at River Plate until July 7."
City have agreed to sign Alvarez in a deal understood to be in the region of £17.9million.
Alvarez burst onto the scene last season as he bagged 24 goals and added a massive 18 assists in 46 games.
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