Arsenal attempting to sign Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez before pre-season | OneFootball

Arsenal are currently pushing to sign Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez before pre-season, according to the Independent.

Gunners manager Mikel Arteta wants the Argentina international at the Emirates.

The North London club has Alvarez as their main attacking target, and he is open to joining Arsenal.

They are ready to pay £90 million and no more for the former Manchester City forward, but Atletico want more than £100m.

Alvarez bagged ten goals and four assists in 15 Champions League games last term, weighing in with eight goals and four assists in 29 La Liga games.

The Arsenal target is also wanted by the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

However, Atletico are unwilling to sell the 26-year-old to their Spanish rivals, while PSG are no longer as interested as they once were.

It has given the Gunners an advantage in their pursuit and concrete negotiations could start after the World Cup.

Arsenal could also have another upper hand in talks as their sporting director Andrea Berta used to work with Atletico and is on good terms with his former employers.

Alvarez is primarily a striker but also plays on both wings, and Arteta could be open to playing him and Viktor Gyokeres together in attack.

The Sweden international notched 21 goals and three assists in 55 games last term, but the Gunners want more from their attackers as they look to win the Champions League next term.

Arsenal need quality finishers to boost their chances of winning the major trophies regularly, and adding Alvarez to their squad will be massive.