Julian Alvarez snubbed a late offer to return to the Premier League
Mikel Arteta, Manager / Head Coach of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Aston Villa FC and Arsenal FC at Villa Park on August 31, 2026 in Birmingham, England.
Mikel Arteta endured a disappointing end to the summer transfer window(Image: Getty Images)
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Despite the summer window closing on Tuesday, there still seems to be plenty of drama surrounding Arsenal’s transfer activity. The Premier League champions had a busy few months but ultimately failed to bring in their top priority, a marquee forward signing, having fallen short in the pursuit of several high-profile targets.
Sporting director Andrea Berta still managed to bring in five players, however, worth a total of around £200million. They include left-back Piero Hincapie on a permanent deal, back-up goalkeeper Illan Meslier as a free agent, winger Christos Tzolis, midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and defender Ezri Konsa.
While things took longer to get going in terms of outgoings, Arsenal eventually parted ways with Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Reiss Nelson and, most recently, Gabriel Martinelli. That was on top of the earlier exits of Christian Norgaard and Leandro Trossard, which mean Mikel Arteta has a vastly different team to work with this season.
Martinelli snubs Arteta
Martinelli made no mention of Arteta in his Arsenal farewell post on Thursday. The Brazilian finally completed his £60m move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal this week.
The 25-year-old had wanted to remain with the Gunners but, after the signing of left winger Tzolis, was deemed surplus to requirements by Arteta. Martinelli lost his place in the squad, with Eberechi Eze being preferred as back-up for the position, and was absent from the teams that beat Manchester City in the Community Shield and Coventry in the Premier League to kick off the season.
Gabriel Martinelli with Mikel Arteta
Gabriel Martinelli did not mention Arteta in his farewell message(Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)
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Arsenal legend Ian Wright took issue with the club’s treatment of Martinelli, claiming the player had not been spoken to by Arteta, while reports since have indicated that was not the case. There were also reports that his Arsenal team-mates were left feeling uncomfortable at the attempt to force him out.
Nevertheless, the forward has now been announced as an Al-Hilal player. And he made no effort to mention Arteta in his emotional Instagram post, despite thanking team-mates, chefs, kit staff, doctors, doormen, security staff, media team, cleaning staff and physios.
Alvarez ignored offer
Julian Alvarez reportedly ignored a late attempt by Manchester City to re-sign him last week. While Arsenal were disappointed not to land their main forward target late in the window, they will at least be glad he didn’t end up joining Premier League rivals City.
Julian Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid controls the ball while under pressure from Declan Rice of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final Second Leg match between Arsenal FC and Atletico de Madrid at Arsenal Stadium on May 05, 2026 in London, England.
Man City tried to hijack Arsenal's pursuit of Alvarez, it's been claimed(Image: David Price, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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The Argentine star had insisted all summer that he wanted to leave Atletico, with Barcelona being the only destination on his mind. The Gunners waited until late in the window to see whether the 26-year-old would change his mind, having only been left with the option of staying at Atletico or signing for Arsenal, after his move to Barca was blocked.
Alvarez decided to remain in Madrid, but not for the want of trying on City’s part, who reportedly made a Premier League record-breaking offer worth £128m to land him a second time. According to Radio Marca, City approached the player’s representatives to see whether he would join but they received no answer.
The Etihad club then backed out and spent the money on signing his compatriot Enzo Fernandez on deadline day, though they deny making any contact with Alvarez’s team.
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