Arsenal are flying high in the Premier League, leading by six points and topping their Champions League group. They have also reached the Carabao Cup final. But transfer talk never stops. The recent news highlights interest in Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, with a big hurdle in the way.
Julian Alvarez: A Top Target for Arsenal
Julian Alvarez is a star striker for Atletico Madrid. The 25-year-old Argentine won the World Cup in 2022 and has a great scoring record. He moved from Manchester City to Atletico for a big fee and has netted 40 goals in 88 games there. Arsenal have been linked with him for a summer move. The reports say the Gunners, along with Chelsea, are keen and ready to spend big. Atletico value him at around £87 million – that’s a lot!
Alvarez is versatile – he can play as a forward or winger. Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s boss, likes players who can adapt. With Arsenal chasing titles on all fronts, adding someone like Alvarez could boost their attack. He’s young, experienced, and has won trophies everywhere he’s been. Fans would love to see him at the Emirates, linking up with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard.
But it’s not straightforward. Other reports suggest Arsenal are even considering a swap deal, offering players like Gabriel Jesus or Gabriel Martinelli to sweeten the pot. Both Brazilians have been at Arsenal for a while but have had ups and downs. Jesus is a proven goal scorer but has injury issues, while Martinelli is fast and exciting but sometimes inconsistent. Atletico might like them, as they’ve shown interest before.
🚨BREAKING! 💣
Arsenal are READY to break the bank for the signing of Julían Alvarez 🇦🇷 🌟
Fernando Hildago who represents the player was in London recently for talks.
ℹ️ @sport pic.twitter.com/Mqfc0THsXJ
— AFC Xtra (@AFC__Xtra) February 5, 2026
The Stumbling Block Emerges
Here is the catch: Alvarez prefers a move to Barcelona. The Spanish giants are his dream club. But Barcelona have money problems. They cannot easily meet Atletico’s £87m asking price. Their star forward Robert Lewandowski is getting older, and his contract ends soon. Barcelona might need to sell or cut costs before buying.
This stumbling block could help Arsenal. If Barcelona can’t afford Alvarez, the door opens for the Gunners. But Alvarez might need convincing to come back to England after his time at Manchester City. He left City for more playing time, and at Atletico, he’s reportedly frustrated with his role. Other clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea are also in the mix, making it a tough race.
Arsenal’s new sporting director Andrea Berta knows Alvarez well – he signed him for Atletico. That connection could be key. The club has scouted Alvarez recently and is exploring what a deal would take.
Manager’s Cheeky Request for Gabriel Swap
In other news, Arsenal signed young winger Evan Mooney from Scottish club St Mirren on deadline day. The 18-year-old has made 23 first-team appearances and is seen as a future star. The deal includes add-ons and a sell-on clause for St Mirren.
St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson had a laugh about it. In a press conference, he joked that he asked for Arsenal’s defender Gabriel Magalhaes in a swap deal. Gabriel is a key player for Arsenal, strong and reliable in defense. Robinson said, “I was hoping to get Gabriel but it didn’t happen.” It’s all in good fun, but it shows how highly rated Arsenal’s players are.
Arsenal also signed Stoke City’s Jaden Dixon, another young prospect. These moves show Arteta’s focus on building for the long term, even if no big stars came in January.
Arsenal’s Current Form and Future Plans
Arsenal face Sunderland this weekend, aiming to keep their lead in the league. The team is in great shape, with depth in most areas. But injuries can happen, and adding firepower like Alvarez could make them unstoppable.
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