Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is reportedly in contact with Atletico Madrid regarding Julián Álvarez, even though it would be very difficult to comply with the La Liga club’s insistent stance to sell him this summer.
The Argentine has accomplished more in his career than most players achieve in a lifetime.
He won the World Cup, Copa America, Champions League, Premier League and Copa Libertadores, and also played for River Plate, Man City, Atlético Madrid and the Argentina national team.
There are very few forwards on the market that have elite experience and years of experience ahead of them.
His numbers speak for themselves.
Alvarez scored 36 goals in 103 appearances for City, despite often competing for minutes with Erling Haaland. Since joining Atletico Madrid in 2024, he has taken another step forward, scoring 49 goals in 106 appearances and becoming Diego Simeone’s main attacking threat.
Throughout his career at top clubs, he has already scored 139 goals in 331 games, adding 15 goals in 58 appearances for Argentina.
These statistics explain why Europe’s biggest clubs continue to pursue him. Alvarez is more than just a finisher, pressing relentlessly, moving channels, linking play, and is equally comfortable leading the line or playing directly behind other strikers.
Perhaps most importantly, he has repeatedly performed under pressure. Whether it was helping Argentina win the World Cup, winning the treble with City or becoming Atlético’s mainstay in a club-record transfer, Alvarez never seemed overwhelmed by his biggest opportunities.
If Arsenal do have a chance of signing him, it’s hard to think of many forwards who would be a better fit for Arteta’s system.
However, the possibilities remain complex.
According to talkSPORT journalist Ben Jacobs, Arsenal continue to seek a deal for Alvarez, despite the striker making no secret of his ambitions to move to Barcelona.
Jacobs added that Berta is in talks with his former club Atlético and believes the Spanish side are currently more willing to negotiate with non-La Liga rivals than strengthen Barcelona.
He also reports that Alvarez’s £115,000-a-week contract includes a release clause of £425m, but there are clauses that allow some Champions League clubs to negotiate a significantly lower sum.
However, any agreement remains extremely difficult.
Atletico CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín has publicly insisted Alvarez is not for sale and that the club would reject offers even as high as £170 million.
The declaration highlights just how important the Argentina international has become since joining from City.
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Barcelona have not completely given up hope of signing Alvarez, so Arsenal could face competition if things change in the second half.
But for now, Arteta’s side may be keeping lines of communication open as they monitor developments.
This summer’s move remains one of the most difficult to make, but Arsenal’s continued interest shows just how highly they value one of the most complete forwards in world football.
