Arsenal are thought to be the 'strongest bidders' in the race for Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez's services, according to reports from Spain - with the Gunners wanting to get a deal over the line for a striker to aid Mikel Arteta's Premier League title push.
Alvarez adapted to Premier League football relatively easily as Manchester City won the treble in his first campaign at the club, alongside their fourth Premier League title in a row the following year. However, 29 goals in just 54 games for Atletico has put him on even more of a pedestal, where he is now considered one of the league's best players, and that could see Arsenal swoop.
Report: Arsenal Now 'Strongest Bidders' for Julian Alvarez
Mikel Arteta has made no secret of the fact that he wants a striker this summer
Julian Alvarez
The report by Marca states that Diego Simeone considers Alvarez the 'cornerstone' of his side's present and future, meaning that the La Liga giants will look to surround him with more quality heading into the summer transfer window - though Arsenal are the 'most likely contender' to land the Argentine, with other clubs being on the prowl.
Julian Alvarez's La Liga statistics - Atletico Madrid squad ranking
Stats
Appearances
Goals
Key Passes Per Game
Shots Per Game
Dribbles Per Game
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His impressive performances have sparked the interest of several European giants, with Liverpool already sounding out his potential arrival - though Arsenal are now thought to be the strongest bidder for his services.
Current sporting director Andrea Berta, who signed Alvarez for Atletico last summer, knows exactly what 'one of the best strikers in the world' can bring to Arteta's side and has listed the former City star amongst his priorities for next season.
Although it's thought that Alvarez isn't keen on returning to the Premier League as he's comfortable being one of La Liga's star players, Atletico aren't willing to increase his salary to fend off any wider interest. That could see Arsenal offer Alvarez a higher wage than he is currently earning in the Spanish capital, potentially swinging a reported £126million deal in their favour.
Alvarez joined City at the start of the 2022/23 campaign after scoring 42 goals in just 72 games for River Plate at the age of just 22, seeing him called 'insane' in the process - and an overall record of 36 games in 103 games under Pep Guardiola was impressive, given that he was the backup striker to Erling Haaland for the majority of the time.
Statistics courtesy of WhoScored. Correct as of 27-05-25.
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