Atletico Madrid have issued an ultimatum to forward Julian Alvarez, telling him to either complete a transfer to Arsenal or remain at the Spanish club. The Premier League side are reportedly prepared to pay up to £128 million for the Argentine, according to a report from Daily Mail Sport this week.
Alvarez missed Atletico training for a third consecutive day on Friday, later working alone, with his absence linked to illness after the club informed him they would not sell him to Barcelona. Atletico CEO Gil Marin was unequivocal. "I’ve been in the football world for more than 30 years. My word is one of the few things I have," Marin said. "As long as I am CEO, Julián Alvarez will NOT be transferred to FC Barcelona. That is absolutely certain." With that door closed, Arsenal are viewed as the only viable destination if Alvarez pushes for an exit.
What does this mean for Arsenal's squad?
The potential arrival of a high-calibre forward like Alvarez would be a major statement for Mikel Arteta's side. Arsenal currently sit sixth in the Premier League with three points from their opening game, having scored three goals without conceding. They are three points behind early leaders Manchester City. A significant attacking addition could provide a boost ahead of a busy period, which includes a trip to face Aston Villa this weekend. You can track the team's progress on our standings page.
This pursuit comes as the club prepares for their next fixture, an away match against Aston Villa on 31 August. Villa, who are 17th, have been active in the market themselves, confirming the £65 million signing of Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea to replace the departed Ollie Watkins.
How are other clubs reacting in the market?
Atletico's stance on Alvarez has prompted them to monitor alternatives, with Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee among those being watched. Zirkzee also has an offer from Fiorentina, with Juventus, Napoli, and some Premier League clubs showing interest. This activity underscores the domino effect a major transfer like Alvarez's can create.
Elsewhere, Manchester City continue to rival Tottenham for Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo, though Liverpool insist they need two more forwards in place before considering a sale. City are also pursuing parallel talks for Everton's Iliman Ndiaye, who is valued around £80 million, and are pushing to sign Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea.
What other deals are happening this week?
Aston Villa's business has been headline-grabbing. Manager Unai Emery revealed that selling Ollie Watkins to Al Hilal for £50 million was an emotional decision. "I told him goodbye with a huge hug and a few tears," Emery said. "After the Brighton game he was sorry and told us he made a mistake, that he was wrong." Watkins did not feature in Villa's 4-0 loss to Brighton last weekend despite being their only fit centre-forward. His replacement, Nicolas Jackson, previously worked with Emery at Villarreal.
In other moves, Southampton confirmed the return of James Ward-Prowse from West Ham for a fee understood to be £800,000. The midfielder rejoins on a two-year deal after 410 previous appearances for the club. Nottingham Forest are also listening to offers for Omari Hutchinson, with AC Milan considering a loan with an obligation to buy, as Forest boss Oliver Glasner does not see the 22-year-old as a regular starter.
What comes next for Arsenal?
The immediate focus for Arsenal is the final days of the transfer window, which closes on 1 September. Securing a player of Alvarez's quality would be a major coup, but the clock is ticking on Atletico's Sunday deadline for his decision. The outcome will directly impact Arteta's options as he looks to build on a solid, if early, league position. Fans can follow the latest squad updates on our squad page. The team's next performance against Villa will offer the first glimpse of their capabilities this season with the window's drama as a backdrop.
