Arsenal continue to be linked with a blockbuster move for Julian Alvarez.
Julian Alvarez continues to be linked with a potential move to Arsenal
Julian Alvarez continues to be linked with a potential move to Arsenal (Image: Getty)
Arsenal will reportedly turn their attention to another talented striker if they fail to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid ahead of next week's deadline. Alvarez is still desperate to leave the Spanish capital, with Barcelona having been his preferred destination. They tried to sign him earlier in the window but Atletico refused to entertain their advances, instead placing a huge nine-figure price tag on the forward.
Arsenal have since emerged as an interested party and have been actively working on a deal in recent weeks. It's claimed that Atletico would want around £128million to sell Alvarez to the newly-crowned Premier League champions this summer. However, it's been reported by Spanish outlet Sport that Arsenal could try to drive down that price by offering Viktor Gyokeres as part of the switch.
It's claimed that Gyokeres could be tabled alongside a £55m transfer fee in an attempt to land Alvarez, although it remains to be seen if Atletico would be willing to accept that proposal.
If it fails, there is a chance that Arsenal could pursue a move for Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz, who is being touted as a lower-cost alternative.
According to The Independent, the Turkey international "remains an option" for the Gunners, but Juventus manager Luciano Spaletti was quick to play down those links over the weekend.
Quizzed on the striker's future, he said: "I experience it calmly because the player is Yildiz. From my point of view, it's simple, they can offer whatever they want, I want to be able to field Yildiz next season.
"Yildiz is a guy who is perfect to have mature conversations with. And consequently, he knows very well that he shouldn't rush anything, that he shouldn't speed anything up. His future is already important at Juventus.
Kenan Yildiz has reportedly emerged as a target for the Gunners
Kenan Yildiz has reportedly emerged as a target for the Gunners (Image: Getty)
"It's not important because someone offers 100 million or because there is a club that has the financial power to spend at this moment. He is already at the club that offers 100 million for him, so we are all very calm."
Yildiz, who joined Juventus in 2022 after coming through the youth ranks at Bayern Munich, remains tied down until the summer of 2030.
Last season, he scored 10 league goals and provided another six assists in 36 appearances for the Italian giants.
Arsenal have already made a number of summer signings, with Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa their marquee additions so far.
They have also welcomed Illan Meslier and Christos Tzolis in addition to signing Piero Hincapie on a permanent basis following his successful loan spell last season.