Morgan Rodgers is a serious target for Arsenal. (Image: Getty Images)
There may still be some champagne left on Sunday, and preparations for the Champions League final still to come, but Arsenal’s attention has already turned to the summer transfer window. Having finally won the English title for the first time since 2004, the Gunners will be keen to ensure their reign at the top is not short-lived.
As a result, it is expected that several promising players will be signed. Arsenal already have a quality midfield with a defensive unit widely considered their biggest strength, and are set to prioritize attacking reinforcements this summer. Strongman Victor Gökeres has had an eventful first season in north London but is yet to provide the clinical, relentless quality that characterizes Europe’s most formidable side.
The rest of the supporting cast has largely struggled to score enough goals, with Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze the only other Arsenal players to reach double figures this season.
Arsenal finished the season with 71 league goals, the lowest total for a Premier League champion since Leicester’s 68 in 2015/16. Strengthening offensive capabilities has emerged as a clear priority. Express Sport looks at what Arsenal’s ideal first signing of the summer would look like.
Arsenal are reportedly considering a £100m transfer fee to sign Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez. Alvarez is said to have informed Atletico of his desire to leave, with Barcelona his preferred destination, but Hansi Flick’s side are currently unable to match the £100m offer from their La Liga rivals due to financial constraints.
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This presents an opportunity for Arsenal, who want to strengthen their attacking options with a versatile and energetic forward. Alvarez, who spent two seasons at Manchester City, is adept at playing on the flanks and in the No. 10 position, as well as as a No. 9.
Arsenal have been pursuing the 26-year-old Argentina international for years, with sporting director Andrea Berta promoting a move to Atletico in 2024. Mikel Arteta is known to value versatile, hard-working forwards, and Alvarez fits that blueprint, combining the qualities of a clinical finisher with the qualities of a tireless pressing machine.
Atlético Madrid’s Julian Alvarez linked with move to Arsenal (Image: Getty Images)
After scoring 29 goals in his debut season at the Metropolitano Stadium, he has now scored 20 goals in 49 appearances this season. His height signing will not only ease Gokeres’ goal-scoring burden, but also establish a more versatile attacking threat to Arsenal’s front line.
However, gunners must tread carefully. Spending £100m on Alvarez will take up a significant portion of the summer budget, but with Arteta equally keen to strengthen his options on the left, Arsenal may eventually be forced to prioritize one attacking position over another.
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With Financial Fair Play considerations still very much in play and many areas of the squad under scrutiny, Arsenal’s recruitment team will need to strike a careful balance between immediate impact and long-term squad depth.
At the same time, competition for elite attacking positions remains fierce across Europe, and hesitation could prove to be a costly mistake if other leading clubs choose to join the fray later. And with Alvarez already proving his quality in the Premier League, a move at that price would be completely justified.
Aston Villa star Morgan Rodgers could also be added, with talkSPORT claiming Arteta is pushing internally to bring the England international to north London in what would be a lethal partnership with Alvarez.
