Julian Alvarez has hinted he could leave Manchester City due to frustration at not starting in the club's biggest matches. 

The forward played the fifth-most minutes of any City star last season but has not started any of five major finals during his two years at the club. 

Despite scoring 36 goals in two seasons, the Argentinian often has to play second fiddle to Erling Haaland up front or settle for a deeper role. 

It is a busy summer for Alvarez, who won the Copa America with Argentina and is now representing his country at the Olympics. 

'Last season, I was one of the players with the most minutes at City. But... in the end, you don't like being left out of important matches; you want to contribute,' Alvarez said.

'I'll take my time to think about what I want for myself. We'll see.'

He also said: 'I am focused here [at the Olympics] because it is a short tournament. At Manchester City I feel very good, I played a lot of minutes.

'But we will see after the Games. First, if I can, I will take a few days off. Then we will decide.

City signed Alvarez from River Plate in January 2022 for £14million but loaned him back for half a season.

In his two seasons playing for Pep Guardiola's men he has become an important player. 

His first campaign saw him be their second-top scorer despite starting less than half of their games, and he scored a pivotal goal against Chelsea in the penultimate match as they chased the title. 

Last year he signed a lucrative new contract worth around £100,000 and that only expires in 2028. 

The 24-year-old brings experience of winning at the highest level having lifted the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, the Champions League, and two Premier League titles. 

Commenting on Alvarez's predicament, Guardiola said: I don't think about replacing. I knew he said he will think about it.

'Once he has finished thinking, his agent will call Txiki [Begiristain] and we will see what happens.

'I know he wants to play in important moments, but the other players [want that] too.

'We have 18 or 19 players who want to play in the important games.

'I read he has to think about it, so okay think about it and after that he will inform us what he wants to do.'