Arsenal is getting a clearer path toward signing Julian Alvarez after Atletico Madrid made it known it will not sell the Argentina forward to Barcelona.
The Gunners have been connected to Alvarez for weeks. The 26-year-old previously spent two seasons at Manchester City before moving to Atletico in search of more regular minutes.
Alvarez has made it clear he would prefer a switch to Barcelona. Atletico officials, however, have drawn a hard line against selling him to a La Liga rival.
That impasse has left the player unsettled. He appeared disengaged before Atletico’s most recent match and was jeered by home supporters during and after the game.
Reports have even described him as depressed in Madrid as the transfer situation drags on.
With a move to Barcelona blocked, Arsenal’s chances have improved. BBC Sport’s Sami Mokbel reported that Atletico is prepared to accept a €150 million ($174 million) offer from the London club. The reporter even suggested that talks between the two teams regarding the deal “have been positive.”
Alvarez still has to agree to the transfer. He has been reluctant to return to England, but that position may be shifting.
Argentina journalist Esteban Edul said Arsenal is “increasingly likely to sign Julian Alvarez.” Edul made the comment Friday on the Spanish version of ESPN’s SportsCenter.
The forward wants to leave Madrid, and Arsenal now looks like the most realistic destination.
His hesitation is not mainly about the football. Additional comments by Edul and other reports indicate Alvarez is concerned about the practical difficulties of moving his family back to England.
He already experienced limited family time during his City spell because of post-Brexit travel rules.
If Alvarez approves the move, Arsenal could try to reduce the cash outlay by including a player in the deal. The Independent reported the Gunners might offer Viktor Gyokeres or Gabriel Jesus.
Jesus would be the more likely candidate from Arsenal’s perspective, though Atletico is thought to prefer Gyokeres.
Adding Alvarez would give manager Mikel Arteta extra quality in attack. Arsenal won the Premier League last season largely on defensive strength and shared scoring among several players.
The club recently sold Leandro Trossard and appears close to parting with Gabriel Martinelli. Those two wide attackers combined for 19 goals last season.
Alvarez scored 20 goals and provided nine assists in all competitions for Atletico. He can play as a central striker or on the left flank in the role Martinelli has occupied.
Arteta has been looking for more consistent firepower to complement a side already among Europe’s strongest. Landing Alvarez would represent a significant statement in the transfer market.
Whether the deal is completed depends on Alvarez signing off. Family considerations remain the biggest unknown.
For now, the standoff with Barcelona has handed Arsenal an unexpected opening in a chase that once looked distant.
