Arsenal are pushing to sign striker Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid before the transfer window closes. The Independent reports that the Spanish club have set a Friday deadline to resolve the future of the 26-year-old Argentine forward.
Alvarez was absent from Atletico training this week, with the club insisting his absence was due to illness. He had previously received a hostile reception from the home crowd at the Metropolitano. While the player was initially thought to favour a move to Barcelona, Atletico are reluctant to do business with their La Liga rivals. This has opened the door for Arsenal, with Alvarez said to be open to a switch to North London.
What would an Alvarez deal involve?
Any agreement is likely to be complex. Atletico manager Diego Simeone wants to strengthen his attack, and players from Arsenal's squad are appealing to him. The report states that a deal could involve either Viktor Gyokeres or Gabriel Jesus moving to Madrid alongside a financial fee. Arsenal, as the defending Premier League champions, are in a strong position but face a tight deadline with the window shutting on Tuesday.
The pursuit comes as Mikel Arteta's side sit second in the Premier League table with three points from their opening game. They have scored three goals without conceding, giving them a +3 goal difference. Bukayo Saka is the team's early top scorer with one goal from one appearance. The next test is an away trip to face Aston Villa, who are currently 20th, on August 31st. Fans can track the team's progress on our standings and fixtures pages.
How does the wider market affect Arsenal?
Major moves elsewhere could influence Arsenal's strategy. Manchester City have been particularly active, signing 18-year-old Morocco international midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi for a fee reported as €100 million (£85.6m) on a five-year contract. City have also sold Savinho to Tottenham for £85 million and are reportedly interested in Liverpool's Cody Gakpo.
Most notably, Manchester City are poised to make a late move for Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez. Chelsea want upwards of £120 million for the midfielder, a deal that could become the most expensive of the summer. City are prepared to make that record-breaking signing, having previously seen an informal deadline for a move pass.
What are other Premier League rivals doing?
Liverpool, under manager Andoni Iraola, are also seeking attacking reinforcements. They are interested in Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola, with insiders at the French club expecting the winger to leave this summer. Liverpool have also seen two bids for Brighton's Yankuba Minteh turned down. Brighton value the 22-year-old Gambian winger at £70 million. Minteh missed Brighton's 4-0 win over Aston Villa through injury.
What happens next for Arsenal?
The immediate focus is on the Alvarez situation. Atletico Madrid's insistence on a Friday resolution creates urgency. Arsenal's ability to structure a deal involving a player plus cash could be key. With the defending champions off to a winning start, adding a proven goalscorer like Alvarez could provide a significant boost for the long campaign ahead. The club's current attacking options and form can be viewed on our squad page. All parties will be working against the clock before Tuesday's final deadline.
