Arsenal are continuing to monitor the possibility of luring Julian Alvarez to the Emirates this summer, sources close to the situation have indicated. The forward has made clear his desire to move on from Atletico Madrid, with Barcelona having been his preferred destination, a stance he reinforced during his nation’s World Cup campaign.
Both Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta are understood to hold the 24-year-old in high regard and would welcome the opportunity to add him to Arsenal’s attacking options. Similar to their approach with Vinicius Junior, the north London club see the forward as a high-profile acquisition worth spending significant funds on.
That said, the Gunners maintain strict valuation thresholds for every target on their radar, much like their pursuit of Morgan Rogers and Bradley Barcola. Atletico have made clear they would not consider selling Alvarez for anything less than €200million, equivalent to around £171million, a figure that vastly exceeds what Arsenal would be prepared to pay.
Throughout the transfer period, the club have adopted a measured approach, recognising that quality options to strengthen their forward line have been limited. Insiders suggest Arsenal had hoped circumstances might shift to create an opening for a player of Alvarez’s calibre, though such an opportunity has not materialised to the desired extent.
Alvarez is regarded as someone who could propel the club forward to the next level. Arteta, since guiding Arsenal to Premier League glory, has made clear his intention to refresh the squad, which may involve some difficult decisions.
One additional attractive quality is Alvarez’s versatility on the left side, a position he has occupied for his national team. His potential arrival could cast doubt over the futures of current centre-forwards Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz within the manager’s long-term vision.
Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli remain candidates to depart this summer, which could generate additional funds. However, there is hesitation about sanctioning Martinelli’s exit without first securing a capable replacement, ideally someone who represents an improvement on the 25-year-old.
With the transfer deadline approaching in under two weeks, Arsenal’s prospects of landing a forward are becoming increasingly urgent. Sources indicate that Kenan Yildiz is another player the club rates highly, though he too would require considerable persuasion to move, as would Juventus, who have already rejected an approach from Arsenal earlier this season.