Arsenal and Chelsea handed MASSIVE boost over €120m striker signing

Tom Weber
Tom Weber
  • Updated: 9 Feb 2026 19:28 GMT
  • 4 min read
Mikel Arteta, Liam Rosenior
© IMAGO

Arsenal and Chelsea have received a big boost in their pursuit of Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez as one potential rival for his signature has dropped out of the race.

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The Argentine is set to be one of the protagonists of the summer transfer window after growing frustrated with Atletico Madrid's lack of competitiveness. The Copa del Rey is the only piece of silverware they can realistically still win this term, and to do so, they will have to get past Barcelona.

Ironically, the Catalans are among Alvarez's most persistent suitors. Initial discussions with the player's representatives have reportedly already taken place, although there are major concerns about whether they could actually afford him.

Current ETV
Player image Julián Alvarez
Julián Alvarez

F (C)

Atlético Madrid logo

Atlético Madrid

Julián Alvarez
Julián Alvarez

F (C)

Atlético Madrid

Atlético Madrid

€117.5M

ETV Range

€105.7M - €129.2M

Having spent up to €95 million on the 25-year-old, Atleti will not offer any discounts on Alvarez. Accordingly, the striker is expected to cost well in excess of €100 million this summer.

In the Premier League, both Arsenal and Chelsea are said to be keen on bringing the former Man City star back to England. Recent reports have suggested that the Blues have been "advancing" on a potential deal for him.

Bayern won't enter Alvarez race

Arsenal and Chelsea have now been handed a significant boost by the news that Bayern Munich, who have also been tentatively linked with the Argentine, will not attempt to sign him this summer.

At least that is according to BILD journalist Christian Falk, who said on his YouTube channel: "It is not true that Bayern are working on a transfer for Julian Alvarez.

Julian Alvarez
© IMAGO - Julian Alvarez

"He’s an interesting player, but when I spoke with some guys from Bayern, they said they didn’t need these rumours at the moment - they wanted a quiet transfer window. So they won’t go for him at the moment.

"They’d love to have a player like him in the team, but with a contract until 2030, it’s a no-go. They did try to sign him in 2023, around the time Harry Kane signed; they were thinking about another striker and whether having the Englishman alone was enough.

"But, at the moment, it’s not a move they’re going to push for."

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