Report: Chelsea Join Arsenal and Atletico in Pursuit of City’s £60m Striker | OneFootball

Arsenal, Chelsea, and Atletico Madrid Join the Race for Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez

Arsenal have joined Chelsea and Atletico Madrid in the race to sign Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez, according to reports from Team Talk. The talented Argentine forward, who joined City for £14 million in July 2022, has already proven his worth with an impressive record of 36 goals and 18 assists in 103 games. His contributions have been pivotal in helping Pep Guardiola’s side secure numerous trophies, including two Premier League titles, the Champions League, and the FA Cup.

Alvarez’s Impact at Manchester City

Since his arrival at Manchester City, Alvarez has demonstrated his exceptional skills and goal-scoring ability. Last season alone, he registered 19 goals and 13 assists in 54 games, showcasing his consistency and importance to the team. However, despite his stellar performance, Alvarez faces a challenging situation at City with the presence of Erling Haaland, who is set to remain the main No. 9 at the Etihad.

City journalist Sam Lee recently revealed that Alvarez and his family are hoping to relocate to a warmer country in the near future. This desire for a change in environment could significantly influence his decision in the upcoming transfer window.

Atletico Madrid’s Strong Interest

Atletico Madrid have shown the most interest in Alvarez in recent months. Diego Simeone, their manager, views him as a fantastic potential addition to the Atleti forward line, especially following the departure of Spain captain Alvaro Morata to AC Milan. The Spanish giants are in desperate need of a new striker, and Alvarez fits the bill perfectly.

Premier League Competition: Arsenal and Chelsea

Arsenal and Chelsea are not far behind in the pursuit of Alvarez. Mikel Arteta sees Alvarez as the “perfect” striker for Arsenal, capable of scoring at least 20 goals per season and linking up play brilliantly. Arteta believes that signing Alvarez would also enhance the effectiveness of wingers like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, potentially giving Arsenal the edge over City in the Premier League title race.

Chelsea, on the other hand, continue to keep tabs on the 24-year-old, having been linked with him previously. Both Premier League clubs will need to present compelling cases to Alvarez to convince him to choose them over Atletico Madrid, considering his preference for a warmer climate.

Financial Aspects and Potential Alternatives

City have set an initial asking price of £60 million for Alvarez, with an additional £17 million in further add-ons. This substantial fee reflects Alvarez’s burgeoning reputation as one of the best strikers in the world. Arsenal, Chelsea, and Atletico Madrid will need to evaluate whether they are willing to meet City’s demands for the talented forward.

Arsenal have also been linked with other strikers, including Joshua Zirkzee and Ivan Toney. However, with Zirkzee joining Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur leading the race for Toney, Arsenal’s focus has shifted to Alvarez and Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyokeres. Reports suggest that Arsenal might start the bidding for Gyokeres at £55-60 million, as Sporting could be convinced to sell for £60 million.

Conclusion

Julian Alvarez’s potential move away from Manchester City has sparked a heated transfer battle among Arsenal, Chelsea, and Atletico Madrid. With his impressive track record and desire for a warmer climate, Alvarez is an attractive prospect for all three clubs. Whether he will choose to continue his career in the Premier League or opt for a new adventure in La Liga remains to be seen. Team Talk’s report highlights the growing interest in Alvarez and sets the stage for an exciting transfer saga.

Our View – EPL Index

The prospect of Julian Alvarez donning the Gunners’ jersey is thrilling. Alvarez’s goal-scoring prowess and ability to link up play brilliantly make him an ideal fit for Arteta’s attacking philosophy. Imagine the havoc he could wreak alongside Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli! This trio could elevate Arsenal’s attacking game to new heights and finally give us the upper hand in the Premier League title race against Manchester City.

Sceptical Football Enthusiast’s Take

While the excitement around Alvarez is understandable, there are concerns about the substantial financial investment required. With City demanding an initial fee of £60 million plus add-ons, it’s a hefty price for a player who might still need time to adjust to the Premier League’s intensity. Additionally, there’s the question of whether Alvarez can consistently deliver in the long term, especially with the pressure of being compared to Erling Haaland.

Concerned Chelsea Supporter’s Opinion

From a Chelsea perspective, the competition for Alvarez is a cause for concern. The Blues have struggled with consistency in their striker options, and Alvarez could be the solution. However, with Atletico Madrid and Arsenal also in the mix, securing his signature won’t be easy. The club’s management will need to act swiftly and decisively to avoid missing out on a potentially transformative player.

Statistical Analysis by EPL Index

Julian Alvarez: Performance Data and Stats

Julian Alvarez’s statistical performance over the last 365 days reveals a player of immense talent and versatility. With 2,929 minutes logged, Alvarez’s data, courtesy of Fbref, showcases his abilities across attacking, possession, and defending metrics. This analysis provides a comprehensive look at his strengths and areas for improvement.

Attacking Proficiency

Alvarez excels in several key attacking metrics, with his non-penalty expected goals (npxG) and non-penalty goals both in the 94th and 96th percentiles, respectively. These figures highlight his exceptional goal-scoring ability, marking him as one of the top performers in his position. His xAG (expected assisted goals) and combined npxG + xAG are also impressive, sitting in the 70th and 94th percentiles, indicating his dual threat as both a scorer and a creator. His shot-creating actions are in the 72nd percentile, underlining his capability to generate scoring opportunities.

Possession and Passing

When it comes to possession, Alvarez demonstrates mixed results. His passing completion rate is at 85%, and progressive passes and carries are in the 49th and 23rd percentiles, respectively. This suggests that while he is reliable with the ball, there is room for improvement in advancing play and driving forward. Successful take-ons stand at the 69th percentile, showcasing his ability to beat defenders, while progressive passes received are in the 27th percentile, indicating his movement and positioning to receive the ball in advanced areas.

Defensive Contributions

Defensively, Alvarez’s numbers are more modest. His clearances and blocks are low, at 3% and 5%, respectively, reflecting his primary role as an attacker. However, his tackles and interceptions combined stand at 47%, and his percentage of dribblers tackled is at 53%, suggesting he contributes defensively when necessary. His aerial duels won are at a mere 12%, which is an area that could see improvement.

Overall, Julian Alvarez’s performance data paints the picture of a highly skilled attacker with excellent goal-scoring and creative abilities, complemented by a solid passing game and occasional defensive contributions. These stats affirm his reputation and justify the interest from top clubs in his services.