Julian Alvarez to Arsenal: Official transfer update delivered

20 Sept 2026 10:08 BST | 4 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

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Barcelona sporting director Joan Laporta has confirmed that Atletico Madrid were willing to sell Julian Alvarez to Arsenal during the recent summer transfer window.

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The Argentina striker was desperate to secure a transfer before the end of Deadline Day, but Atleti blocked a potential move to Barcelona, while the 26-year-old was reluctant to return to the Premier League despite significant interest from Arsenal.

Current ETV

Julián Alvarez

F (C)

Atlético Madrid

Julián Alvarez

F (C)

Atlético Madrid

ETV Range

€75.6M - €92.4M

It’s understood that Gunners boss Mikel Arteta attempted to persuade Alvarez to join the club over the summer, while Atletico Madrid were open to selling him to the north London giants.

FootballTransfers has been told that Arsenal were willing to match Atleti’s financial demands to seal a deal and this stance is unlikely to have changed heading into 2027, with both clubs ready to do business for the right price.

However, Arsenal still have one major transfer step to complete: they must agree personal terms with Alvarez.

Barcelona, meanwhile, are expected to pursue Alvarez’s signature and Laporta has taken aim at Atletico Madrid for their conduct over the summer. He has also indirectly confirmed that Atleti were willing to sell Alvarez to Arsenal if the Gunners agreed personal terms.

“They acted offended; they had no way to justify their attitude,” Laporta told reporters when asked about Atletico Madrid’s decision to block the sale of Alvarez.

“We did what’s usually done: there was club-to-club communication, and then I spoke personally with Gil Marín. He told me he wasn’t coming because they had no alternative. Then they reacted inappropriately. I don’t know why, I can imagine, but I have no proof. We were hearing that they would sell him to every club except Barca. Then they dropped the pretense and said it openly.

“That is now in the past and we are very happy with the squad we have and the coach is very happy with the extraordinary work of Deco.”

After missing out on Alvarez, Barcelona finalised the signing of Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, while the Gunners opted against bringing a new centre forward to the club before Deadline Day following Kai Havertz’s impressive start to the season.

© IMAGO - Julian Alvarez, Atletico Madrid

Will Julian Alvarez leave Atletico Madrid in 2027?

Alvarez has returned to the Atletico Madrid team in recent weeks, after starting the season on the substitutes bench, and he looks set to remain at the club until at least next summer.

However, he was evidently desperate to leave the Wanda Metropolitano before the end of the window and it’s highly unlikely that he will be content to stay at the club beyond this campaign.

Barcelona are expected to push for his signature once again next year, with the club still searching for a long-term replacement for the departed Robert Lewandowski, while Arsenal may rekindle their interest too as they look to bolster the attacking options at Arteta’s disposal.