Arsenal Transfer News Today: Alvarez advice, Tresoldi valuation, Nwaneri verdict

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Matthew Judge | Editor

FootballTransfers runs through the latest Arsenal transfer news on 27 October, including fresh updates on Julian Alvarez and Nicolo Tresoldi.

Arsenal told Alvarez needed Barcelona move

Argentina star Julian Alvarez needed to join Barcelona in the summer in order to take his game to the next level, according to his compatriot Maxi Lopez.

Alvarez found himself at the centre of the transfer saga of the summer as Arsenal and Barcelona tried and failed to sign the striker from Atletico Madrid.

The 26-year-old expressed his desire to leave Atletico while representing Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, with Barcelona believed to be his preferred destination.

And Lopez believes Barcelona were the only team who could help Alvarez realise his “potential” by becoming one of the best players in the world.

Speaking to TYC Sports, Lopez said: “I would have liked to see him (Alvarez) at Barcelona, ​​because he’s the number nine for the Argentine national team.

“He would be at another level [at Barcelona]. I was coached by Cholo (Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid boss) myself. But if it were me, I’d go to Barcelona.

“This is just my personal take, based on how I see Julian’s potential.

“I think what Cholo has done with Atleti is truly remarkable - when I first arrived in Spain, Atletico wasn’t competing for anything; he completely transformed the club.

“But given Julian’s style of play, I’d choose a team that plays better football and, in my view, Barcelona plays better [football than Atletico].”

Gunners learn asking price for Brugge star Tresoldi

Arsenal will have to pay around €50million (£41.8m) to sign Club Brugge star Nicolo Tresoldi, according to Sky Sports' Florian Plettenberg.

Plettenberg understands the Gunners have developed a firm interest in Tresoldi, who is one of the most in-form strikers in Europe.

The 22-year-old has scored 12 goals in 14 games for Brugge this season, including a hat-trick against Inter Milan in the Champions League.

Arsenal are believed to have a healthy relationship with Belgian giants Brugge having signed Greece winger Christos Tzolis from them in July.

However, the Premier League champions will need to spend more than the €40m (£35m) they paid for Tzolis in order to land Tresoldi.

Transfer reporter Plettenberg claims Brugge told Barcelona they wanted €50m to part ways with Tresoldi in the summer transfer window.

La Liga giants Barcelona reportedly baulked at the asking price and opted to sign Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal for €10m (£8.3m) instead.

Premier League champions face competition for Varela

Arsenal have developed an interest in signing in-form Monza striker Gustavo Varela, according to Italian outlet Calciomercato.

The 21-year-old is the joint-top goalscorer in Serie A this season, having netted seven times in as many games for 15th-placed Monza.

However, Calciomercato understands Arsenal face stiff competition from Napoli and Benfica for Portugal Under-21 international Varela.

Varela joined Monza from Benfica in the summer but the Portuguese side reportedly inserted a clause which allows them to match future offers for the forward.

Arteta’s men told Nwaneri has been underwhelming

Arsenal have been told Ethan Nwaneri is yet to provide the creative spark for which Borussia Dortmund signed him for.

England Under-21 international Nwaneri joined Dortmund on a season-long loan in September in order to earn regular first-team football.

However, the 19-year-old is still searching for his first goal or assist for the German outfit, with whom he has made nine appearances.

Dortmund are sweating on the fitness of star attacker Konstantinos Karetsas ahead of Sunday’s trip to Bayern Munich in the first Klassiker of the Bundesliga season.

Should Karetsas fail to recover from injury in time, BILD writers Jorg Weiler, Yannick Huber and Michel Schroer are not convinced Nwaneri is an adequate replacement.

They write: “One thing is clear: the attacking gem (Karetsas) has only a few days left to regain full fitness. It’s a race against time!

“What’s particularly frustrating is that the alternatives for his position in attacking midfield—Ethan Nwaneri, Fabio Silva, and Marcel Sabitzer—have failed to make a lasting impression of late.

“Consequently, Dortmund risks being without their creative difference-maker precisely when they are set to face the record champions (Bayern).”

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