By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

24th Oct, 2023 | 8:00pm

Sources: Man City coaches believe Julian Alvarez can go to the next level

Key figures behind the scenes at Man City feel red-hot forward Julian Alvarez can get even better in the coming years, sources have told Football Insider.

A well-placed source has told Football Insider that the 23-year-old is “ready to go to the next level” despite already lighting up the Premier League and World Cup in recent months.

Alvarez, who only joined City last summer (2022), penned a renewal in March to keep him at the club until June 2028.

He has started the 2023-24 campaign in stellar goalscoring form.

The Argentina international has notched seven goals and five assists in 14 appearances across all competitions this term.

That form has attracted fresh interest from the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid, who have been extensively linked with Alvarez since his move to England.

However, Football Insider revealed on Monday (23 October) that City are really confident of keeping the forward at the Etihad Stadium.

Alvarez has been playing in a second-striker role in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, who is expected to be injured until the new year.

He registered yet another crucial contribution on Saturday (21 October), scoring the opener as City ran out 2-1 winners at home against Brighton as they bounced back from back-to-back league defeats.

In addition to winning the treble with his club last term, Alvarez was also key to Argentina’s 2022 World Cup success – scoring four goals in seven games during the tournament.

The former River Plate man also scored 17 goals and grabbed five assists in 49 club games last term.

Pep Guardiola’s side are next in action against Young Boys in the Champions League on Wednesday (25 October).

In other news, Man City exploring deal for 20-year-old “world beater”.