Report: Arsenal eyeing swap deal to sign La Liga forward | OneFootball

Arsenal prepare bold Julian Alvarez play as summer strategy takes shape

Arsenal’s recruitment drive has taken an eye catching twist, and credit must go to TeamTalk for breaking a story that has quickly gained traction across Europe. Their report states that the Gunners are “preparing to escalate their interest in Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez”, a development that underlines how ambitious Andrea Berta’s new era in North London has become.

It is understood that “intermediaries connected with Alvarez’s camp discreetly informed select clubs of his possible availability”, a detail that immediately puts Arsenal on alert. Senior figures at the Emirates have already begun “discussing the Argentine’s future”, which tells you how seriously this is being taken. Alvarez is not a fringe target, he is one of the most coveted forwards in European football, and his potential availability is the type of market opportunity elite clubs wait years for.

What makes this intriguing is that Alvarez “is understood to be increasingly frustrated with life at the Metropolitano”, something that feels significant when paired with his long standing admiration for Barcelona. However, TeamTalk correctly point out that “their ongoing financial issues mean there is no guarantee they can assemble a package that would satisfy Atletico”, which leaves the door wide open for a proactive Premier League club to step in.

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Andrea Berta influence in shaping negotiations

The presence of Andrea Berta in Arsenal’s hierarchy changes the dynamic completely. TeamTalk remind us that he “originally brought Alvarez to Atletico”, so his understanding of both the player and the Spanish club is invaluable. When “the club have watched Alvarez in person within the last two weeks”, it is no surprise, this is a manager and sporting director combination keen to make informed decisions.

Financially, Arsenal “would have few issues putting together a competitive offer”, but the story becomes more dramatic when we learn that “two Arsenal attackers, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli, have been mentioned as potential makeweights in a deal for Alvarez”. This is not a minor tweak, it is a statement of intent. Both players are respected internationals, and including either could tilt negotiations firmly in Arsenal’s favour.

Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli potential departures

TeamTalk make it clear that “while Arsenal are not actively pushing either player out, sources indicate the club would be open to their departures in 2026”. That nuance is important, it suggests strategy rather than desperation. Jesus and Martinelli have “been linked with exits over the past 18 months”, and Atletico have already shown interest in both, which makes this potential swap feel realistic rather than fanciful.

This approach also helps Arsenal navigate Financial Fair Play concerns while still improving their squad. A package that involves established stars alongside cash would appeal to Atletico, who are “bracing for a summer of difficult decisions”.

European competition intensifies around Alvarez

Paris Saint Germain and Chelsea “have also been approached by intermediaries”, while Alvarez has “a narrow shortlist of clubs he would consider”. Arsenal’s willingness to be creative could give them “a crucial edge in a race involving some of Europe’s biggest clubs”, and that is the type of edge that wins transfer battles.

From an analytical point of view, this story feels credible, layered and grounded in genuine market movement. As one source quoted by TeamTalk put it, “Alvarez’s future is now firmly at the centre of those discussions”, and Arsenal look ready to push hard.

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As an Arsenal fan, this report reads like a dream scenario. Julian Alvarez is exactly the type of forward who could elevate this team from contenders to champions. The idea that Arsenal are willing to include Gabriel Jesus or Gabriel Martinelli shows a ruthlessness that fans have been craving for years. It signals that the club are no longer content with simply competing, they want to dominate.

Alvarez’s frustration in Madrid feels like a window of opportunity, and with Andrea Berta pulling the strings, many supporters will believe this is the perfect alignment of timing and expertise. Watching him in person recently suggests that the club are already picturing him in red and white, pressing from the front, linking play and finishing with clinical precision.

There will be sadness if Martinelli or Jesus depart, both have given moments that live long in memory, but football at the highest level is about evolution. If one of them can help bring in a player of Alvarez’s calibre, most fans would see it as a necessary step.

This is the sort of bold move that can change a season before a ball is even kicked. If Arsenal can pull this off, it would send a message across the Premier League that the Gunners mean business, and that message alone could be worth points when the real battles begin.