Arsenal may have missed out on Vinicius Junior, but the Gunners are planning to dust themselves down and attack the transfer window again
Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, applauds the fans at the end of the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Real Betis Balompie at Aviva Stadium on August 05, 2026 in Dublin, Ireland
Mikel Arteta already knows who he wants Arsenal to target next(Image: 2026 The Arsenal Football Club Plc)
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Arsenal are now said to be targeting a move for Julian Alvarez after Vinicius Junior decided to remain at Real Madrid. The Gunners' hunt for the Brazilian was ended by the Los Blancos ace signing a new six-year contract extension to remain at the Bernabeu.
Mikel Arteta's side have now been tipped to dust themselves down and look to strike a deal to sign Atletico Madrid forward Alvarez, as per The Athletic. The north Londoners have been linked with the Argentine throughout the summer, but it appears their interest in him has been jump-started.
A new central defender to cover for the injured William Saliba is also on their list and it appears the club feels Aston Villa and England ace Ezri Konsa fits the bill. These rumours have been swirling ahead of the pending announcement for Bruno Guimaraes' move to Arsenal.
Guimaraes' £75m transfer is expected to be announced in the near future. He will be the fourth signing the club has secured after Piero Hincapie, Illan Meslier and Christos Tzolis.
Alvarez could be the next big target the club focuses on. The Athletic add he is expected to meet with Atletico manager Diego Simeone to discuss his future at the Wanda Metropolitano, with Barcelona also interested in signing him.
Earlier in the window, Atletico accused Hansi Flick's side of "harassing" Alvarez and his representatives and even issued a formal complaint to the Spanish Football Federation over their alleged improper pursuit of the Argentina star.
Vinicius Junior of Brazil celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 1-1 with Bruno Guimaraes of Brazil during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Brazil and Morocco at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 13, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Guimaraes will soon be unveiled as an Arsenal player while Vinicius Jr will stay at Real Madrid(Image: Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
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It's understood the Gunners believe Atletico will not sell to Barcelona, unless the Blaugrana meet Alvarez's eye-watering transfer release clause of £430m.
Earlier in the window, there were transfer rumours suggesting the club was plotting to offer striker Viktor Gyokeres and a transfer fee in exchange for Alvarez's services. This suggestion has since died down, suggesting it's now off the table, while Arteta eventually made it clear that prospect would not be happening.
What is clear is Arsenal are not finished in this summer's transfer window. Their interest in Konsa has also been intensifying, with reports from the Mail claiming many players within Villa Park fear the Englishman is going to leave the club.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa reacts during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Aston Villa at Stadium of Light on September 21, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)
Konsa is another target on Arsenal's list(Image: Getty)
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Arsenal recently submitted a bid to sign Konsa from the Midlanders, but it was understood to be short of Villa's £60m valuation. It does not appear the Gunners are giving up on signing the defender, despite their initial offer being turned down.
They have also been linked with a surprise move for Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero. The Athletic understands Arsenal are the latest contenders for the Argentine's signature, with Inter Milan and Atletico also believed to hold an interest in him.
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