Guardiola claims he 'counts on' Julian Alvarez despite Man City exit rumours

What will become of Julian Alvarez? That is the big question buzzing in the Emirates Stadium. According to the latest reports, the player would like to leave Manchester City in search of playing time and Atletico would offer him a place in their front line.

However, Pep Guardiola has sent a direct message to the offices of the Metropolitano outfit. Asked about the future of the Argentinian striker, he responded bluntly: "There is no news, I have nothing to say.

"Julian Alvarez will be back, I'm counting on him, but he said that the decisions will be made between all of us...", he pointed out. "Now he has to rest and when he feels ready to return, he will," he continued.

The coach didn't like the fact that his player, who was with Argentina playing the Olympics, said that when the competition was over, he wanted to think about what he wanted. "Let him think and then inform us", the player from Santpedor told the media just a few days ago, which forced Julian Alvarez to clarify that he did not say "anything bad".

Right now, the situation is like this: Atletico would have offered 60 million euros for Julian Alvarez, but the Mancunian side are asking for at least 70 and the English club would have another higher offer from PSG. Clubs interested in him aside, Guardiola is counting on him for next season and has let him know so.

"When he comes back, I will hug him and congratulate him on the Copa America and the Olympic Games. Then, we will start working together," he said in a statement reported by the 'Mirror'.