Arsenal face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday night, but they must stop centre-forward Julián Álvarez, who they are keen to sign into their squad.
Arsenal are interested in Julian Alvarez, but they are not alone (Image: Getty Images)
Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez has become the most wanted man in European football.
Atleti manager Diego Simeone virtually told the world on Tuesday that all the big clubs want him as a centre-forward, declaring that Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona are targeting his signature this summer.
Arsenal will get an up-close look at the World Cup winner, who will join Lionel Messi in leading Argentina’s defense of the trophy this summer, when they take on Atletico in the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday night.
Former Manchester City striker Alvarez has been linked with a move from Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona this summer. And it’s clear that PSG are also eyeing a player from Atletico worth more than £120m…and that’s a conservative estimate.
Such a price would seem beyond Barça, but the Catalan giants somehow always manage to do their bit and get a big transfer fee when the time comes.
read more: Diego Simeone claims ‘pressure’ on Arsenal ahead of Atletico Madrid drawread more: Atletico Madrid’s two stars are ‘motivated’ to crush Arsenal’s Champions League dreams
Of course, Atlético are not keen on a sale and would like to tie him to a new deal, so there is definitely something to be said about the whole transfer saga. Antoine Griezmann’s departure means they will have a significant weekly wage that they can use to woo Alvarez.
The question for Arsenal is whether both sides can secure the funds, but also whether they can prove themselves big enough and successful enough to lure Alvarez back to the Premier League.
Still only 26, he scored 20 goals in 67 league appearances for Manchester City, playing primarily as second fiddle to Erling Haaland.
Atlético spent just over £80m to bring him to the Spanish capital in 2024 and he has improved since then, going from strength to strength in La Liga. He can play as a number 9, 10 or even as a wide if needed. But the difference between him at City and him now is that he has developed and become a better player in movement and finishing, while at the same time his pace is more pronounced.
He is a smart player with game intelligence who connects plays well and brings other players into the game. He is a player made for Arsenal.
Julian Alvarez is a man in demand (Image: Europa Press 2026)
There were some links with the Gunners before they signed Victor Goqueres last summer, with sporting director Andrea Berta knowing him from his time at Atletico. If anyone could sign Atlético’s star man, it should be Berta.
However, Arsenal already have three strikers in Gokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, who has one year left on his contract.
Arsenal will likely have to sell two of those players to raise the funds to sign Alvarez, and if there is an offer to sign Goqueres as Havertz’s back-up striker, albeit for a reported £64m, Alvarez would certainly be first choice.
It is believed that he may be tempted to return to England. And Arsenal would be the ideal landing spot.
But they need to be on the top stage of European football. It means proving that they can be a winner. They are chasing the Premier League title and the Champions League. They probably also want a cash reward for winning both.
But Alvarez is a special player. It’s ironic that he is the main threat and main force facing Arsenal in the final.
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