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Diego Simeone has confirmed Arsenal hold interest in Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, with the admission coming just days before the two sides meet in the Champions League semi-final.
The Gunners have maintained a long-standing interest in the former Manchester City forward, who moved to Spain in 2024 for a fee worth up to £81.5million. Arsenal reportedly weighed up a move for the Argentine last summer before ultimately signing Viktor Gyokeres instead.
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Simeone expects transfer interest
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Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s first-leg clash at the Emirates Stadium, Simeone was asked directly whether Alvarez is looking to leave Atletico Madrid.
“I’m not inside Julian Alvarez’s head,” the Atletico boss replied. “I understand it’s normal that an extraordinary player like Julian Alvarez is wanted by Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona. It’s normal because he’s very good.”
The 25-year-old has been in impressive form since his move to the Spanish capital, recording 48 goals in 104 appearances across all competitions. He still has four years remaining on his contract at the Metropolitano.
Alvarez himself has recently dismissed transfer speculation, particularly links to Barcelona. His agent Fernando Hidalgo called such rumours “1000 per cent false” and “complete nonsense.”
Player focused on current club
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The striker has adopted a similar stance when questioned about his future, telling reporters: “I try not to give too much importance to what they say, because the truth is that every week new things come out, all kinds of new information.”
“I try not to waste energy on that and to focus on what we’re doing here at Atleti. I try not to give too much importance to what’s said in the media, because it often starts becoming a snowball of lies.”
According to [reports in the UK](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-fc-transfer-news-julian-alvarez-confirmed-b1280263.html), Atletico Madrid would demand a fee close to the club-record £105million Arsenal spent on Declan Rice should any formal approach materialise.
The timing of Simeone’s comments adds an intriguing subplot to Wednesday’s Champions League encounter. Arsenal’s summer signing Gyokeres has endured a challenging debut season in north London, which may prompt the club to revisit their interest in proven goalscorers like Alvarez.
Whether Arsenal choose to act on their reported interest remains to be seen, but Simeone’s acknowledgement suggests the speculation around his star striker is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.