At a Glance:
Andrea Berta is already drawing up transfer plans ahead of the summer.
Arsenal have been heavily linked with both Julian Alvarez and Bradley Barcola.
They should now have a good chance at landing at least one of them after a new report emerged.
While Mikel Arteta and his players celebrate their Premier League title triumph and prepare for the Champions League final on Saturday, sporting director Andrea Berta is already thinking about next season.
The Gunners lifted the iconic trophy on Sunday afternoon at Selhurst Park, capping off a wonderful domestic season. They can now win a historic double when they face Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest this weekend.
Berta is intent on ensuring this success can be sustained, and is making plans around the summer transfer window and how he can further bolster Arteta’s squad. The Italian wants to add a marquee attacker to the Spaniard’s ranks, and it appears this could now be very much on the cards.
Julian Alvarez refusing to sign new contract at Atletico Madrid
Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for Julian Alvarez in recent months. The Argentine was signed by Berta for Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2024, and thus, the Gunners’ sporting director is a huge admirer of the forward.
Alvarez has enjoyed another excellent season in the Spanish capital, netting 20 goals and providing ten assists across all competitions. His ability to link play, press and influence the game in the final third makes him an attractive proposition to the Gunners.
Club Matches Goals Assists
River Plate 122 54 31
Manchester City 103 36 19
Atletico Madrid 106 49 17
Argentina 51 14 3
All statistics per Transfermarkt
Last week, reports emerged that Arsenal are seriously intent on pursuing Alvarez, although they face stiff competition from PSG. Now, Graeme Bailey of TEAMtalk suggests that the 26-year-old’s camp have reiterated to Atletico Madrid that the striker wants to leave the Wanda Metropolitano.
Alvarez has no interest in signing a new contract with Atleti, despite the Spanish club supposedly planning to offer him one. While he remains keen on Barcelona, the Catalan giants aren’t said to have the financial capacity to pull off a deal of this magnitude, which makes Arsenal and PSG frontrunners.
Arsenal will surely sign one of Julian Alvarez or Bradley Barcola
These reports seemingly indicate that it’s a two-horse race for Alvarez. Assuming both Arsenal and PSG are willing to stump up in excess of £100 million for the World Cup winner, then he’ll likely secure a move to the Emirates or the Parc des Princes.
The decision will ultimately come down to the player and will likely be dictated by what each side can offer him financially. Arsenal have a real chance.
If he does choose PSG, however, then the Gunners will then get the opportunity to swoop for one of Luis Enrique’s men. The Ligue 1 club would have a surplus of quality attacking players if Alvarez arrives in Paris.
The Atletico man, Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola can’t all coexist in one squad. One will have to make way, and the most likely is Barcola.
The France winger has been mooted as a target for Arsenal, and it’s been reported that he reciprocates the interest. While Liverpool reportedly view Barcola as a candidate to replace Mo Salah, North London is certainly a more appealing destination than Merseyside at the moment.
Thus, Alvarez’s desire to leave Atletico should ultimately mean that the Gunners end up landing either the Argentina international or Barcola.