Exclusive: Arsenal in ‘constant contact’ with Julian Alvarez

Exclusive

Steve Kay | Editor

Arsenal continue to hotly pursue a deal for Atletico Madrid attacker Julian Alvarez, FootballTransfers can confirm.

Sources have indicated that the Gunners are in “constant contact” with the representatives of the Argentina international star, with sporting director Andrea Berta even jetting to Spain in midweek to hold transfer talks with key figures in the deal.

FootballTransfers understands that there have been “positive” talks towards what might be a spectacular late-summer transfer coup for the Premier League champions.

Alvarez wants Barcelona – but he’s not ruled out Arsenal

Alvarez has missed Atletico Madrid training on multiple occasions this week and will not play in the La Liga clash against Sevilla as his future remains undecided.

The 26-year-old wants to move to Barcelona, but his club have published an official statement indicating that they will not sell to the Catalans.

This has opened the door for a potential move to Arsenal, and FootballTransfers understands that the North London side are doing everything in their power to push a deal through.

Sources close to the deal have indicated that ahead of the Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Monday, Alvarez has not been discussed significantly around the training complex – but Berta is quietly doing the groundwork in the background.

Arsenal’s sporting director travelled to Spain on Wednesday to have lunch with members of Alvarez’s camp before flying back to England that evening. FootballTransfers understands that the talks were constructive and that Berta remains persistently in touch with the Argentine’s people to understand how a deal may progress.

The Gunners’ sporting director is likely to be a key figure in these talks, having previously signed the 2022 World Cup winner to Atletico Madrid from Manchester City in 2024. That existing relationship with the player could be critical in persuading him to move to the Premier League.

Alvarez has told Arsenal via his agents that he is not ruling out a move to North London, but he has also made it clear that they will only be his second choice if a move to Barcelona falls through.

Alvarez or nothing for Arsenal

Arsenal have held recent conversations with Atletico Madrid about a transfer fee, and they are prepared to agree a deal to sign Alvarez. It is understood that the Spaniards want around €130 million for the forward.

Should Mikel Arteta’s side miss out on the Atleti star, they are not presently in negotiations over any alternative: it is Alvarez or nothing as far as the Champions League runners-up are concerned.

Arteta sees Eberechi Eze as another left-sided option beside Christos Tzolis if a deal for Alvarez falls through, with Gabriel Martinelli still on course to sign for Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.