The Athletic reports that the forward remains determined to secure more playing time and move to a warmer location. However, this desire may be challenged by Manchester City’s valuation of the player at around £60 million ($77 million), with an additional £17 million ($22 million) in potential future add-ons.
Atletico Madrid, which has shown a strong interest in the forward, disagrees with City’s demands and may pull out of any potential deal if further negotiations fail to convince the Premier League champions to lower their asking price.
Currently, the player is in Paris preparing to compete for Argentina in the Summer Olympics after participating in the Copa America.
This continuous involvement in international competitions is expected to impact his availability, making it unlikely that Pep Guardiola will give him a starting role in the early stages of the 2024-25 season.
The player has not had a significant break in three years due to his club and international duties, further complicating his situation.
In recent years, Manchester City has been willing to allow players to leave if they desire, as evidenced by the transfers of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal.
However, they have been hesitant to part with key players who are difficult to replace on short notice, creating challenges for potential buyers. Last summer, City blocked the sales of Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva, demonstrating their cautious approach to player transfers.
City’s financial prudence regarding valuable assets is again evident in this situation. They are expected to maintain a firm stance on the forward’s valuation, who has reportedly turned down a four-year contract extension offer.
This situation might lead the player to remain at the Etihad Stadium as a backup to Erling Haaland, the team’s main goal-scorer, for at least another year.
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