Why Arsenal are closing watching Barcelona’s transfer efforts | OneFootball

Premier League champions Arsenal are keeping a close eye on the efforts of the board at Barcelona to add to their attacking ranks this summer.

This comes with the Gunners lying in wait, ready to pounce for the signature of Atlético Madrid standout Julián Alvarez.

Frontman Alvarez has of course dominated the media headlines in Spain throughout the summer to date. Amid an ongoing search for a replacement for Robert Lewandowski, the aforementioned Barcelona have identified the Argentine as their no.1 target.

To date, Atlético have remained unwavering in their stance that Alvarez is not for sale, desperate to keep hold of the headline figure in Diego Simeone’s squad.

As alluded to above, however, one club hopeful that this stance could soften in the case of a suitor from outside La Liga entering the fray are Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.

As per a report from Diario Sport, citing English outlet The Times:

‘Arsenal are following a clear strategy to sign Julián Alvarez: wait for the footballer to give up in his efforts to sign for Barça and appear as a solution for the striker to leave Atlético.’

The Emirates hierarchy have an offer to club and player in place, which they are hopeful of bearing fruit late in the transfer window next month.

Conor Laird – GSFN