Julián Álvarez heads to the World Cup with hopes of leading Argentina to back-to-back titles, even as he finds himself at the centre of one of the most sensational transfer sagas in recent memory.
The 26-year-old striker has become the subject of an intense three-way battle in La Liga, with Atletico Madrid determined to retain their star forward while rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona plot ambitious moves to lure him away.
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez recently followed through on an election pledge to make a €150 million bid for a mystery “Galáctico” signing. After weeks of speculation, that player was revealed to be Álvarez. Yet the eye-watering offer was swiftly dismissed by Atletico officials, who view the Argentine as untouchable.
So what makes Álvarez one of the most coveted forwards in world football, and is he truly worth the reported £130 million Real Madrid are prepared to spend
