Arsenal are reportedly considering a deal for Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez (26), with manager Mikel Arteta envisioning a specific role for the Argentine on the left flank rather than as a central striker. According to FootballTransfers, the North London club has held talks with intermediaries regarding a move that could reach €120m (£104m). While Alvarez is understood to have informed Atletico of his desire to leave this summer, Arsenal face heavy competition from Paris Saint-Germain, who are reportedly preparing a record offer, and Barcelona, the player's preferred destination.
Arteta’s tactical rationale for the left wing
The pursuit of Alvarez is driven by a desire to upgrade Arsenal's left-sided attack, currently rotated between Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. According to FootballTransfers, Arteta views Alvarez as the solution to a "problem role" following a season where Martinelli has struggled to maintain his elite output. This plan hinges on the success of Viktor Gyokeres, who has secured the primary No. 9 spot, making a second traditional striker unnecessary. Alvarez’s profile fits the positional fluidity Arteta demands; he possesses the pressing intensity and technical security the manager first observed during their overlapping time at Manchester City. With Gabriel Jesus restricted to fewer than 1,000 minutes of football this season due to injury and form, the squad requires a versatile high-volume scorer who can operate across the front three.
PSG and Barcelona complicate the £104m pursuit
Despite Arsenal's interest, the financial and competitive landscape remains difficult. Atletico Madrid reportedly want to improve on the €95m fee they paid City in 2024, set against the backdrop of Alvarez’s 20-goal campaign in 2025/26. Reports in Spain, specifically from analyst Jose Antonio Martin Otin on the Cadena COPE network, suggest the player may have already progressed significantly in talks with PSG. The French champions, overseen by Luis Enrique, are described by Football365 as the leading contenders to secure his signature. While Arsenal legend Ray Parlour, speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, recently advocated for the sale of Gabriel Jesus to facilitate the deal, the Gunners must navigate a market where PSG can outbid them and Barcelona hold the player's personal preference.
Arsenal's hierarchy must now decide whether to trigger the €100m-plus release clause before the two potential suitors meet in the Champions League final on May 30.