Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero has advised his former club to integrate 'phenomenon' Julian Alvarez into their first-team squad ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.
The 22-year-old forward signed for the Citizens in January before returning to River Plate on loan, where he is currently set to stay until December 31.
Despite Pep Guardiola stating earlier this year that Alvarez 'will be with us' in the summer for pre-season, there has been speculation to suggest that City may look to keep the forward in his homeland until 2023, as they eye a move for a big-money centre-forward such as Erling Braut Haaland.
However, Aguero believes City have 'bought Alvarez for a reason' and feels that the Argentina international would benefit from joining the first-team squad in the summer.
"Julian Alvarez is mature and over time he will continue to learn things, he's learning more and more and Manchester City bought him for a reason," Aguero told ESPN in Argentina.
"He's a good kid, he's a phenomenon, shy and quiet. It'll be better if he goes to City in June."
Man City are believed to have a €1.5m option if they wish to fast-track the forward into their first-team squad this summer.
Alvarez, who scored his first international goal for Argentina in the 1-1 draw with Ecuador on Wednesday, netted 24 times and provided 15 assists in 46 appearances for River Plate across all competitions in 2021.
Oliver Thomas
