Arsenal Considers Summer Move for Julián Álvarez

Arsenal Football Club is reportedly contemplating a summer transfer for Julián Álvarez, the forward from Atlético Madrid, according to sources cited by ESPN.

Andrea Berta, the sporting director for Arsenal, possesses significant connections with Atlético Madrid, having spent 12 years at the LaLiga club before his transition to London in March of last year. Berta was instrumental in facilitating Álvarez’s €95 million ($82.4 million) transfer from Manchester City in August 2024, and he is believed to maintain a strong relationship with the player’s agent, Fernando Hidalgo, and his team.

While Barcelona has shown considerable interest in Álvarez, the club’s ongoing financial challenges complicate the feasibility of a deal of this magnitude. Reports indicate that Álvarez has an imposing €500 million release clause in his contract; however, it is suggested that Atlético would seek a fee exceeding €100 million this summer if they are inclined to negotiate a sale.

Since joining Atlético, Álvarez has made a significant impact, scoring 40 goals in 85 appearances and is contracted until 2030. The specifics of Arsenal’s initial contact regarding Álvarez remain unclear, but sources indicate that club officials have made informal inquiries to assess the viability of a potential agreement before formally expressing their interest later in the year.

Sources have also revealed that Arsenal had considered Álvarez among various forward options—including Benjamin Sesko, who has recently signed with Manchester United from Red Bull Leipzig—prior to securing Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting Lisbon last summer.

Gyökeres has had a mixed start with Arsenal, having scored his ninth goal of the season in a recent Champions League match against Inter Milan. However, he has struggled to maintain the prolific scoring form he exhibited during his two seasons in Portugal.

Gabriel Jesus contributed two goals in the match against Inter and has expressed his desire to remain with Arsenal beyond his current contract, which is set to expire in 2027. Nonetheless, Jesus confirmed that discussions regarding a contract extension have yet to occur, and there are indications that Arsenal may consider offers for the Brazilian forward at the end of the season.

Arsenal is also expecting to have Kai Havertz return to full fitness soon as they pursue success across four competitions. Midfielder Mikel Merino has occasionally stepped in as a makeshift striker during periods when all three of the club’s regular forwards have been unavailable.