Arsenal is reportedly gearing up to hold transfer talks for Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez this summer, potentially gaining a significant advantage over rivals Barcelona.
The Argentina international has been a standout performer in La Liga and previously showcased his talent in the Premier League with Manchester City. Despite a scoring record that some might consider underwhelming, Alvarez is emerging as a highly sought-after player this summer, with both Arsenal and Barcelona expressing interest, according to reports from AS.
However, the Spanish publication suggests that Barcelona's approach to this potential deal has irked Atletico Madrid. This friction could hand Arsenal the momentum, as Atletico might now block Barcelona's pursuit of Alvarez, while Arsenal plans to initiate discussions for the 26-year-old striker.
This isn't the first time Alvarez has been linked with Arsenal, with previous reports from the BBC also highlighting the Gunners' interest. However, those reports indicated a potential price tag of £120 million, a sum that seems steep for Arsenal, especially considering his league goal tally of eight for the past season. While he performed better in the Champions League, his overall stats don't necessarily scream 'world-class'.
Arsenal could benefit from attacking reinforcements, but they also have other areas to address. Spending a significant portion of their budget on a single player, who might not represent a substantial upgrade on current options like Viktor Gyokeres, would be a considerable challenge.
While Alvarez might perform better in a different tactical system, it would be a big ask for him to single-handedly revitalize Arsenal's attack, which some observers felt lacked its usual flair last season, even after winning the Premier League title. With key players like Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard not hitting their peak form, it could be difficult for Alvarez to shine, especially in a league that has seen a recent shift towards more defensive tactics.
