Who Will Manchester City Target After Julian Alvarez's Departure and Oscar Bobb's Injury?

After spending just two seasons in Manchester, Argentina's international Julian Alvarez left to join the Spanish team Atletico Madrid. He was dissatisfied with his lack of playing time in big games. Despite Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland's injuries, he started 31 Premier League games in 2023–2024; yet, Atletico Madrid paid 95 million euros to sign him.

Manchester City winger Oscar Bobb is expected to have fractured a bone in his leg, which will prevent him from playing in the Premier League opener. Bobb was on the field for almost the whole Community Shield match, which City won on penalties against Manchester United.

5. Victor Osimhen

During the 2022/23 season, Victor Osimhen was the fifth leading goal scorer in Europe. In recent times his relationship with Napoli has not been so good and he is looking for a transfer from the club. Meanwhile, Napoli has set a huge transfer fee for Victor Osimhen. Since Julian Alvarez has left Manchester City Victor Osimhem appears on the list of who can be replaced by Julian Alvarez. 

4. Eberechi Eze

Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace is another name that the City has on its radar. The England international has been a target for some months, and City may decide to make a bid because of the £65 million release clause in his contract. The versatility and inventiveness of Eze would be a great asset to Guardiola's team. But it seems that Arsenal and Liverpool are also interested in the 25-year-old, so City are not the only ones.

3. Florian Wirtz

Florian Wirtz was the outstanding player for Xabi Alonso's fantastic Bayer Leverkusen club last season, scoring 15 goals and assisting 15 more. He is valued at more than 100 million euros, making him City's most expensive addition, but he might be more than worth it as a successor not just for Alvarez, but also for De Bruyne, who appears to be nearing the end of his Manchester City career.

2. Alexander Isak

Alexander Isak moved from Real Sociedad to Newcastle United in the summer of 2022 for 63 million euros and he became Newcastle's record acquisition. Since joining Newcastle United he has scored 35 goals in all competitions with Newcastle. Isak, a 25-year-old, could even play with Haaland and would be a strong stand-in for him despite his high cost. He would be the ideal substitute for Alvarez. 

1. Marcus Thuram

Marcus Thuram, a France striker, can play as a lone centre-forward but is most effective in a front two, allowing him to play with Erling Haaland while also filling in for him when he needs a rest or is injured. Thuram's strike rate is not as high as some of the other players on the list, but he is a very effective assist provider, contributing 14 last season to his 15 goals for Inter. The 27-year-old is worth roughly 55 million euros so he would be readily affordable.