Arsenal are prepared to break the British transfer record by paying £128m to sign their top target Julian Alvarez, with the striker also being urged by his camp to join the Gunners.
Arsenal’s transfer work this summer has mainly focused on bringing in established players capable of making an immediate difference. Ezri Konsa and Bruno Guimaraes are both 28, and both have been among the Premier League’s standout performers in their respective roles for several years.
Christos Tzolis has made a bright start on the left flank, and with Gabriel Martinelli currently the subject of talks with Al-Hilal, a deal for an even more elite left winger cannot be ruled out in the closing days of the transfer window.
But it is at centre-forward where Arsenal could rewrite the record books, with TEAMtalk providing a major update on the club’s chase for Julian Alvarez.
It is well known that the Argentina international wants to join Barcelona. But Atletico Madrid are equally clear that they do not want to sell him to fierce rivals Barca.
Alvarez was loudly jeered by his own supporters during Atleti’s LaLiga opener against Villarreal at the weekend. He is still desperate to leave Madrid and, according to TEAMtalk insider Graeme Bailey, his camp are now pushing hard for the striker to sign for Arsenal.
The Gunners are ready to place a British-record bid of £128m on the table, and an offer of that scale would be enough for Atletico Madrid to approve the sale.
Even so, Arsenal will only submit that bid if they first receive encouragement from Alvarez that he is open to joining the Premier League champions.
So far, he has not signalled that willingness, though, as noted, his representatives are working intensely to convince him.
Bailey said: ‘The Gunners remain convinced Alvarez is their dream signing and are prepared to consider a package of around €150million (£128m, $174.5m) if the player gives them the encouragement they need.
‘That fee would represent a new British transfer record, eclipsing the £125million Liverpool paid Newcastle for Alexander Isak last summer.
‘Atletico Madrid are willing to listen to a proposal at that level, but their position remains that selling Alvarez to Barcelona is not an option.’
Bailey then added: ‘Key to any prospective move is that TEAMtalk understands that Alvarez’s camp are now pushing the Arsenal option to the player, with the expectation that a clear indication from the forward that he is prepared to move to north London could accelerate everything.
‘Arsenal have maintained regular contact with Alvarez’s camp throughout the summer, after being encouraged that the forward would be willing to make the move to north London should all avenues be closed on Barcelona; a move branded his dream move.
‘As a result, sources insist the next few days are likely to be decisive, with Arsenal waiting for the clearest possible indication from the player before taking the next step.
‘Arsenal have also remained in regular contact with Atletico, with further discussions taking place last week.
‘To offer further encouragement, Atletico CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin has a strong relationship with Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta, and sources can reveal that the pair have maintained frequent contact throughout the summer.
‘That relationship could now help facilitate a blockbuster deal, with Atletico themselves also preferring to deal with Arsenal over Barcelona, though the Gunners are not yet prepared to commit the huge money involved until Alvarez makes his preference clear.’
