Arsenal have been told that they will have to break the British transfer record to sign Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez this summer, but he is open to joining, according to TEAMtalk.
The Gunners moved nine points clear at the top of the Premier League on Saturday as they claimed a 2-0 win over Everton, thanks to goals from striker Viktor Gyokeres and teenage sensation Max Dowman, leaving them in a phenomenal position with just seven games to play.
But Mikel Arteta is understood to want even more firepower available to him next season, and a move for Argentina international Alvarez is seen as the dream transfer if they can get it over the line.
Atletico Want £130m to Sell Alvarez
julian alvarez-1
Alvarez joined Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2024 and has been an exceptional member of the squad, earning the starting striker role in Diego Simeone's side. His performances have seen him attract the interest of both Barcelona and Arsenal, but Los Colchoneros are adamant they do not want to sell.
The World Cup winner still has another four years remaining on his contract, and Atleti are even willing to offer him a new deal to extend his stay further. But they are well aware of the interest in him, and have slapped a minimum asking price of €150m (£130m) on his head to even begin negotiations.
That would rule Barcelona out of the running for his signature, although they are Alvarez's preferred destination if he were to leave. However, it has now emerged that Alvarez would be open to returning to the Premier League if someone matched Madrid's demands.
Alvarez, who has been described as 'extraordinary', previously played for Man City and won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and a Champions League during his two seasons at the club. But if he were to return to England, he would want to move to London, according to the report, leaving Arsenal in the driver's seat for his signature.
As a result of the interest, contact has been made to find out if Alvarez would be open to joining, and the answer was a 'firm yes'.
Julian Alvarez the Perfect Arsenal Striker
Julian Alvarez in action for Atletico Madrid
Gyokeres' arrival has helped Arsenal to unlock a number of defences, with the Swede leading their goalscoring charts this season. However, his performances have come under criticism too, and stylistically he hasn't looked to be the best match for the Gunners.
Alvarez, on the other hand, would provide the perfect blend of physical and technical attributes, and his skillset would undoubtedly see him walk into the Emirates Stadium as the first-choice option.
A £130m price tag may seem wild, but Alvarez is only 26 and has the best years of his career ahead of him. It could be the deal that sees them dominate England and Europe for years to come, and then nobody will be thinking about the fee if that comes to fruition.
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