Arsenal, Barcelona and PSG are all courting Julian Alvarez ahead of the summer transfer window but any deal for the Atletico Madrid attacker will not come cheap
Julian Alvarez
Arsenal, Barcelona and PSG want Julian Alvarez(Image: Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Arsenal are once again interested in signing Julian Alvarez this summer - but they would need to sanction at least one significant sale in order to finance any prospective deal.
The Gunners, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have all been credited with an interest in Alvarez, who joined Atletico Madrid from Manchester City in the summer of 2024. A deal for the 26-year-old would not come cheap, though, with Alvarez contracted until 2030 with a release clause set at a seismic €500million (£433m).
While nobody will be paying that sum to sign the Argentina attacker, interest in Alvarez is expected this summer - Diego Simeone admitted as much on Tuesday - with reports in Spain suggesting €100m (£86m) would be the starting point for any deal.
Arsenal spent in excess of £270m last summer without any major outgoings and would need to sell in order to be in a position where they can try and lure Alvarez back to the Premier League.
Both have struggled for game time this term with Lewis-Skelly falling down the pecking order behind Riccardo Calafiori at left-back, while Nwaneri was allowed to go out on loan to Marseille in January. As academy products, both players would represent 'pure profit' in regards to the current Profit and Sustainability rules, thereby giving Arsenal great financial flexibility.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (left) and Gabriel Martinelli
Gabriel Martinelli is a player Arsenal could sell this summer(Image: PA)
View 3 Images
If Arsenal can raise the funds to move for Alvarez, competition for the forward's signature is likely to be fierce with Barcelona already making moves and PSG also lurking.
Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly would count as 'pure profit' sales
Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly would count as 'pure profit' sales
View 3 Images
Even Simeone, Alvarez's manager, is unclear on where the player will be next season.
“I’m not inside Julian Alvarez’s head,” he said in a press conference on Tuesday. “But I understand it’s normal that an extraordinary player like Julian Alvarez is wanted by Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.
“It’s normal because he’s very good.”
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.