Arsenal and Chelsea ‘have the financial muscle’ to sign Julián Álvarez for over €100m if it comes to it.
That’s according to Sport. The Spanish newspaper cover the developing battle for the Atlético Madrid striker today. They’re looking at it from Barcelona’s stand point, and a potential battle with Arsenal and Chelsea for him.
The newspaper reports that signing Álvarez would be ‘practically impossible’ for Barcelona at this point. That’s because Atlético have taken a firm stance on his future.
Diego Simeone’s side do not want to sell in the summer transfer window. And sources close to Barcelona have revealed that Atlético want at least €200m if that stance is to change. That’s a figure which is seen as ‘absolutely prohibitive’ at the Camp Nou.
Atlético simply don’t want to sell, while Álvarez’s agent has told suitors to go to them first. But the belief is that the Argentine would like to play for a more attacking team to ‘fully utilise his skills’. He also wants to win the Champions League.
Arsenal and Chelsea make moves
Atlético are aware of all the speculation, including the links to Chelsea and Arsenal. Those have been growing for weeks, as Sport Witness have covered.
A report on the 5th of February stated that both sides were ready to ‘break the bank’ to get Álvarez.
Arsenal have been pushed ahead since, with it explained they offered €100m for the striker last summer. That has continued to cause panic at the Wanda Metropolitano.
A report from Argentina then backed up Arsenal’s interest in the 26-year-old. That came from Argentine journalist Hugo Balassone, who insisted the striker would play for Barcelona.
Sport, though, seem to contradict that. According to their information, while Barcelona clearly appreciate Álvarez, the current asking price is far too high. The Catalans think Álvarez is worth something closer to €100m.
Arsenal and Chelsea’s ‘financial muscle’
Given Atlético paid €75m to sign him from Manchester City, though, that is unlikely to be enough for them. And the feeling is the price could go much higher given the interest from Arsenal and Chelsea.
Indeed, according to Sport, they have both ‘inquired’ about the striker. They also ‘have the financial muscle’ for a deal exceeding €100m if it’s necessary.
Barcelona simply do not, Álvarez clearly expresses his desire to play for the Blaugrana. That would eliminate potential competitors. That’s yet to happen and the Argentine has remained respectful to his current employers.
Thus, the deal is seen as complicated for Barcelona, perhaps handing the advantage to Arsenal and Chelse this summer.