River Plate striker Julian Alvarez has been courted by Europe's biggest clubs in the last few months, but Manchester City seem to have won the race for the 21-year-old's signature.

While the transfer has not been made official just yet by either River or City, reports began to emerge from trustworthy sources on Tuesday night that Alvarez will be playing at the Etihad Stadium in the not-so-distant future.

Julian Alvarez to Manchester City

Manchester City may have reportedly wrapped up the signing of Alvarez for a fee of 18.5 million euros (15.5 million pounds), plus add-ons which could take the total cost to 27 million euros (22.5 million pounds), yet the Argentine will remain on loan at River until June at least.

Then, if River have the chance to go on and win the Copa Libertadores, he could stay at the club until the end of the season, although if this occurs they will have to pay part of his salary.

Alvarez has agreed a five-year deal at City and the idea is that the signing will be confirmed on social media in the coming days.

What's more, the team that Alvarez played for in his teenage years in Calchin, Deportivo Atalaya, will be paid roughly 885,000 euros (739,000 pounds).

River boss Marcelo Gallardo will be glad to know that he will have Alvarez for the next six months at least, but the club are still on the lookout for a striker to strengthen the squad.