REUTERS/Marcelo Del Pozo
Arsenal still have hope of signing Atletico Madrid superstar Julian Alvarez, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Gunners are still looking for a new left-winger to round off their summer transfer window, having address their other position of need, which was the midfielder spot filled by Bruno Guimaraes.
Mikel Arteta was clear in wanting a new left-sided attacker this summer, hoping to land an elite forward to add to the already impressive signing of Christos Tzolis, who looks as though he will be a major upgrade on Leandro Trossard, who left this summer.
Arsenal failed to get hold of Morgan Rogers, with Chelsea spending big to get the deal done, while Bradley Barcola looks more likely to go elsewhere. Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta has long dreamed of a move for Atletico Madrid star Alvarez, who signed for Atletico, but that particular signing is looking complicated.
Atletico will only likely sell for well over £100million, and they are playing hardball over a possible sale, especially to Barcelona, who the player is desperate to join. There is also the problem of Alvarez usually playing as a striker, and it's unclear whether he will be higher playing on the left for Arsenal, even if he does consider a move to North London.
Providing an update on the complex situation, and whether Arsenal can even afford a deal, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano said on his YouTube show: "I also wanted to mention to you the situation of Julian Alvarez. It's been a very tense afternoon at the Metropolitano. Julian Alvarez playing in the second half. At the beginning of the game, when the speaker mentioned his name, the fans were going against him. And then in the second half, he was playing but not making any impact.
REUTERS/Thomas Peter
"You can see in his face that the player is not calm at all. He's not relaxed at all. And we can understand it's a difficult situation for everyone for the club, for the player, for everyone involved.
"And then after the game, Julian leaving while his teammates were saying hi to the fans. Julian left the pitch alone and so it was a significant moment when Simeone said it was the club that was us telling Julian to go straight to the tunnel and not go to say hi to the fans.
"But at the same time, guys, the situation around Julian is tense, so it's going to be an important week because Atletico Madrid insist on their position they don't want to sell to Barcelona but Barcelona, as of tonight, Sunday night almost Monday, they didn't send any bid for any other striker yet, so this week will be crucial to understand if Barcelona will move on a different target, or we'll keep waiting for a miracle on the Julian Alvarez story.
“Julián is the best player we have. He is the player we have in mind to create plays around. We want him to stay with us. His future is tomorrow’s match; the best thing for him is to focus on that, not think about everything that’s been said. Things will work themselves out as they always do.” - Diego SImeone on Julian Alvarez
"So, let's see what's going to happen there. And then don't forget about Arsenal, because my understanding, I told you in the recent videos and I keep telling you today is that Arsenal, financially, believe internally they could afford a deal for Julian Alvarez. Especially if Gabri Martinelli goes to Al Hilal and this deal is ongoing. The player is open to join Al Hilal. So, Martinelli is possible.
"If Martinelli goes to Al Hilal, it will be extra money for Arsenal. And so financially, Arsenal could afford a deal for Julian Alvarez. That's the feeling of the club. Even if the price is high, they believe they could strike an agreement with Atletico Madrid. The point is the player.
"The player till today, never opened doors to Arsenal. But Arsenal are still there following the situation. If Julian changes mind and decides to open doors to England and to Arsenal, Arsenal are still there. Arsenal are still watching the situation. So still watch out for Arsenal and Julian until the end of this summer transfer window in case the player change his position."
Alvarez's last five league campaigns
2025/26 - 29 games, 8 goals
2024/25 - 37 games, 17 goals
2023/24 - 37 games, 11 goals
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2022/23 - 31 games, 11 goals
2021/22 - 21 games, 18 goals
Simeone on Alvarez situation
Diego Simeone
Alvarez had to be content with coming off the bench for Sunday's home draw with Villarreal, which was Atleti's first game of the season. Diego Simeone's men took the lead and then conceded two penalties but rallied back with 10 men to score an equaliser late on.
Asked about Alvarez at full-time, he said: "The only thing I know is that if Atlético Madrid want to win a trophy, we need to be together.”
He added: “People from the club told me that the club decided that he shouldn't go with his teammates to greet the fans. The decision wasn't Julián Álvarez's; it was the club's decision to separate him and have him go to the dressing room.”
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta