Arsenal's top transfer target, Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, faces scrutiny over a reported £120 million price tag, particularly given his modest eight-goal tally in La Liga last season.
While Arsenal is keen to strengthen their squad after a Premier League title win, the steep valuation of Alvarez, who previously impressed as a squad player at Manchester City scoring 36 goals in 103 appearances, appears significantly inflated. His first season in Madrid saw 29 goals, but his recent campaign yielded just 20 across all competitions, with only 8 in the league.
This figure makes him Arsenal's potential record signing, a status that raises questions when compared to players like Viktor Gyokeres, who reportedly achieved more goals this season. Despite these concerns, Arsenal has identified attacking reinforcements as a key area for improvement, as evidenced by moments this season where the team lacked cutting edge in crucial matches.
The club's attacking struggles were apparent in the Champions League final against PSG, where they struggled to maintain possession and create opportunities. While Alvarez could still be a valuable addition if he rediscovers his scoring form, manager Mikel Arteta may explore other options. These could include giving Viktor Gyokeres another season to prove himself, or relying on Kai Havertz's fitness.
Additionally, Arsenal is reportedly interested in Bournemouth's promising young French forward, Eli Junior Kroupi. This alternative option is likely to come at a considerably lower cost than Julian Alvarez, presenting a potentially more cost-effective solution for the Gunners' attacking needs.
