Arsenal make Julián Alvarez inquiry, Barça have agreed personal terms | OneFootball

As reported by Alfredo Pedullà, Arsenal have a late inquiry into the availability of Atletico Madrid forward Julián Alvarez.

The star Argentine forward has been touted to leave the Metropolitano this summer, while Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is a huge admirer of the 26-year-old.

A move won’t come cheap, and base transfer fee could reach €130 million. Atleti have been publicly clear about wanting to keep hold of Alvarez, for whom they paid €75 million to Man City two summers ago. So it’s unlikely they’ll let him go for cheap, though it is also unlikely he doesn’t put up an effort to force his way out, with Forbes reporting he has already agreed personal terms with Barcelona, long reported to be his likeliest destination.

Any late offer Arsenal make will need to satisfy not just Atleti, but also beat Barça’s terms and offer a significantly better deal to Alvarez compared to his current contract, which runs until June 2030 and has a gross annual salary of €12.5 million.

Alvarez would fit Arsenal, but a move is unlikely

Arsenal go into the summer looking to build from a position of strength, and while Julián Alvarez would undoubtedly be an upgrade over Viktor Gyökeres and Kai Havertz up front, while also bringing in the versatility that saw him thrive at Man City and would help complement Arsenal’s other forwards, a return to the Premier League is unlikely.

That is, unless Arsenal can offer him terms better than what Barça have offered him, which as reported by Mundo Deportivo is a five-year deal.

Arsenal are looking for a marquee signing, and given their robust defence it is likely Berta and Mikel Arteta will try to add another bow to their attacking quiver. If they somehow manage to land Alvarez, it will make them that much more formidable.

Anshuman Joshi | GIFN