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Arsenal could be forced back into the attacking market in January after a summer that left Mikel Arteta with fewer options than expected across the front line.
Julian Alvarez and Eli Junior Kroupi represent two very different transfer routes.
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Alvarez would be the blockbuster signing capable of improving Arsenal immediately, while Kroupi would be a younger, cheaper investment with significant long-term potential.
Arsenal have shortlisted two attacking targets
Julian Alvarez
Julian Alvarez (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
Alvarez remains the more ambitious option, sources close to the agents industry have informed CaughtOffside.
The Atletico Madrid forward can play as a striker, second forward or from wider areas, while his pressing intensity and experience of winning major trophies would make him an obvious fit for Arteta’s system.
Arsenal explored a summer move, but Alvarez’s preference for Barcelona prevented negotiations from progressing.
That situation may change in January. TEAMtalk reports that Arsenal remain prepared to push strongly for Alvarez if his position at Atletico changes, despite the enormous fee that would likely be required.
Kroupi offers the opposite approach.
The 20-year-old scored 13 goals in 33 Premier League appearances for Bournemouth last season, an excellent return for such a young forward. He can play centrally or drift into wider attacking areas and would give Arsenal another developmental option.
However, his fractured metatarsal and subsequent surgery complicate any January move. Arsenal would need to be confident he has fully recovered before making a major investment.
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Alvarez would be a statement signing for the Gunners
Julian Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Arsenal’s decision should depend on how aggressively they want to attack this season.
Kroupi is an exciting prospect, but Arsenal are already Premier League champions and should be thinking about winning the Champions League rather than simply building for 2028.
That makes Alvarez the more logical choice.
After selling Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal are lighter in attack than they were last season. Christos Tzolis and Eberechi Eze provide solutions from the left, but Alvarez would give Arteta elite quality across virtually every attacking position.
The problem is cost. Atletico could demand well over £100m, meaning Arsenal would have to believe Alvarez is the final piece of the puzzle.
Kroupi would be more affordable and could become an outstanding long-term signing, but he would arrive with greater uncertainty.