As reported by SPORT, Arsenal has not abandoned their pursuit of Julian Alvarez, even though the Argentine striker has expressed a clear preference for joining Barcelona.
The 26-year-old forward revealed during the World Cup group stage that fulfilling his “dream” is important to him. Although he did not explicitly mention Barcelona, it is evident that he wishes to play for the Catalan club.
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These remarks have strained his relationship with Atletico Madrid. While the Spanish club insists they are not considering negotiations with Barcelona, retaining the striker past this summer is becoming increasingly challenging.
This situation has prompted Arsenal to rekindle their long-standing interest in him.
Atletico Open to Premier League Deal
According to the report, Atletico would prefer to sell Alvarez to an English club rather than strengthen a direct rival.
For this reason, Arsenal remains convinced they still have a viable chance to finalize the transfer.
Arsenal is determined to secure Alvarez’s signature. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
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Consequently, Arsenal is preparing another bid before the preseason begins, believing there is still an opportunity to persuade both Atletico and the player.
This is not Arsenal’s first attempt to sign Alvarez; last summer, during the Club World Cup, they made a €100 million offer, plus €20 million in bonuses.
Atletico rejected the offer outright and promised the player a new contract, which never fully materialized due to their heavy investments in other squad areas.
Even after acquiring Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal returned during the winter transfer window only to receive the same negative response.
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Reasons for Arsenal’s Optimism
Despite previous disappointments, Arsenal remains hopeful.
One key factor is manager Mikel Arteta’s appreciation for the player. His solid relationships with several members of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff have given him insight into Alvarez’s capabilities.
Another significant figure is sporting director Andrea Berta, who previously worked at Atletico and played a crucial role in persuading Alvarez to join the Spanish club in 2024 despite interest from PSG.
Barcelona continues to be optimistic. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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Arsenal believes that Berta’s relationship with Alvarez and his understanding of Atletico’s negotiation tactics may be advantageous once again.
Barcelona’s Deadline
Time might be Arsenal’s strongest ally. Barcelona president Joan Laporta has emphasized that their offer will not remain valid indefinitely.
The Blaugrana do not intend to let negotiations drag on throughout the summer and are already exploring alternative options if Atletico does not engage in talks.
Nevertheless, Barcelona firmly believes they are in the leading position to secure the signing of the Argentine international. The club is aware that Alvarez is not keen on returning to the Premier League following his previous stint at Manchester City between 2022 and 2024.
Inside the club, there is confidence that Alvarez’s desire to don the Blaugrana shirt will eventually outweigh Atletico’s resistance to selling.