Arsenal have thrown themselves into the mix in the battle for Julian Alvarez, with the Premier League outfit bidding hardest to secure the services of the Argentine forward. The Gunners’ interest comes at a period of doubt over the long-term future of the player at Manchester City, where lack of regular playing time have put questions marks over his future with the club ahead of an important summer window.
Alvarez, who has had his moments despite playing second fiddle to Erling Haaland, remains the subject of interest from across Europe. But, it is Arsenal who increasingly look like they will be his next club. Sources involved in any transfer claim the North London club want to bid a big amount to tempt City into a sale – potentially over £70 million.
While the 24-year-old is a City player at the moment, Atletico Madrid have also intensified their efforts in recent weeks, seeing him as the perfect forward to spearhead their new attacking era. But Arsenal’s proactive stance could see them in the box seat. Indeed, the club views Alvarez as a perfect profile: young, versatile, technically refined and capable of playing as a striker or slightly withdrawn.
Arsenal are the strongest bidders to sign Julian Alvarez and Andrea Berta ‘has put his name among his priorities for next season’ ✍️https://t.co/SJIybVvXaK pic.twitter.com/MBCTpPwAy6
Alvarez’s numbers support Arsenal’s interest. He registered 11 goals and 9 assists in all competitions during the 2024/25 campaign, despite finding himself consigned to a bit-part role. Mikel Arteta is understood to like his smart movement, work rate and ability to connect midfield and attack. Arsenal are eager to progress and change tactically next season and cut back their overdependence on Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, Alvarez would add both quality and depth.
The player’s camp are saying little, but insiders claim that Alvarez would be open to a new challenge if first team football would come as part of the package.
Alvarez’s transfer chase gains extra intrigue because of Andrea Berta, the club’s new sporting director. Berta arrived at the Gunners in March 2025 after a successful spell at Atletico Madrid yet is soon to be hatching a huge plan against his former club.
Berta knows Atletico, he knows their inner workings and what they are interested in — what type of players they like to look at and how they like to do the deals? Arsenal edge in what, that insight, gives an advantage is what could have otherwise become a direct head-to-head battle. The Spaniard has reportedly earmarked Alvarez as a potential game-changer and believes signing him would close the gap between Arsenal and City.
🚨Arsenal are the team that is pushing the hardest to sign Julian Alvarez.
The former Atletico director, Andrea Berta, knows perfectly what the former Manchester City striker can bring and has put his name among the priorities for the window.
[@marca] pic.twitter.com/j2cHCzNLpU
Furthermore, Alvarez fits Arteta’s high-press, quick-transition style much better than he would fit Diego Simeone’s more rigid approach at Atletico. And it’s this football-matches point of view, combined with Berta in the backroom, that will see Arsenal in the ascendancy in this transfer race.
Manchester City have not yet responded with an official bid to the increased interest. Manchester City are expected to demand a significant fee and may also seek guarantees about how Alvarez will be deployed. Arsenal look ready to meet those demands.
From a tactical perspective, there is a lot of sense in Arsenal’s efforts to sign Julian Alvarez. They’re hunting for a breakthrough in the Champions League and require attacking cover that could last the duration of a full season on all fronts. Alvarez checks many boxes — his age, his versatility, and experience at the highest level.
But the financial commitment is steep, and managing expectations will be key. Alvarez is not a City regular, and whether he evolves into a reliable goal presence at Arsenal is unknown. Still, in the current market and with Arsenal’s own ambitions, this appears to be a bold — but calculated — move.
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