Alvarez wants 'new challenge' - Guardiola

Manchester City leader Pep Guardiola says Julian Alvarez requested to time off nan nine pursuing liking from Atletico Madrid.

The Argentine is group to subordinate Diego Simeone's broadside successful nan coming days aft City accepted an £81.5m connection for nan 22-year-old.

Guardiola had been keen to support Alvarez but nan interest represents a crisp summation connected nan £17m that City paid River Plate for nan striker successful 2022.

The Spaniard is unsure whether City will switch Alvarez successful nan model but he says nan he leaves pinch nan club's champion wishes.

"It was a joyousness to activity pinch him," said Guardiola.

"I learnt a batch from him and hopefully he tin find what he was looking for."

Pressed connected Alvarez's reasons for leaving, Guardiola added: "He believes his play present must beryllium complete so, okay, some clubs get to an agreement."

Speaking up of his side's Community Shield fixture against Manchester United astatine Wembley connected Saturday, Guardiola was asked astir nan anticipation of replacing Gareth Southgate arsenic England boss.

The 53-year-old has been linked to nan station since Southgate stood down. His City statement expires successful 2025 and he has stated his desire to negociate an world team.

"I person to determine what I want to do successful my life," said Guardiola.

"If I want to proceed here, return a break, train nationalist teams aliases not. Right now I americium present and arsenic you get astatine nan competitions my power rises again, truthful I americium afloat excited for nan play because I spot things that I for illustration here."

City are group to return spot successful nan inaugural Club World Cup adjacent summertime pursuing nan conclusion of nan 2024/25 Premier League season.

It means, starting from Saturday's Community Shield fixture, nan nine will embark connected a 48-week campaign.

Guardiola, who confirmed Kyle Walker, John Stones, Phil Foden and Rodri will each miss nan travel to Wembley pursuing their information successful nan Euro 2024 final, says there's thing nan nine tin do astir nan fixture congestion.

"We effort to springiness them nan champion remainder possible, arsenic overmuch arsenic possible. We would for illustration to springiness them much clip but it is what it is," he said.

"Step by step, adjacent game, effort to beryllium smart enough, train nan correct magnitude of clip and beryllium caller successful your mind. Rotate nan players arsenic overmuch arsenic possible, crippled by crippled and we will spot what happen."