If Arsenal are serious about adding another world-class forward this summer, there are few names more exciting than Julián Álvarez.
The Argentina international has established himself as one of Europe’s most complete forwards over the past four years.
Since emerging at River Plate, he has collected both the treble and a World Cup, succeeding at Man City before becoming the focal point of Atlético Madrid’s attack.
Comfortable as a striker, second forward or attacking midfielder, Álvarez offers the versatility, work rate and technical quality that Mikel Arteta values so highly.
The Gunners remain keen to add elite-level quality to their attack, with Andrea Berta exploring opportunities to strengthen several areas of the squad.
Convincing Atlético to sell Alvarez, who Karen Carney called ‘the most complete centre-forward in football’, is another matter entirely. The Spanish club have repeatedly made their position clear throughout the summer.
Barcelona have spent months trying to prise him away from the Metropolitano, but Atlético have publicly insisted they have no desire to strengthen one of their biggest domestic rivals.
Club chief executive Miguel Ángel Gil Marín recently reinforced that message by declaring Álvarez is simply not for sale, regardless of the size of any offer.
That stance has inevitably shifted attention towards Arsenal.
Unlike Barca, the Premier League champions would not be strengthening a direct La Liga competitor, while they also possess players capable of helping Atlético replace one of their biggest stars if circumstances were ever to change.
Arsenal could offer Viktor Gyokeres in swap deal for Julian Alvarez
According to Cadena SER journalist Miguel Martín Talavera, Arsenal are viewed as the strongest alternative should Álvarez ultimately leave Atlético.
Talavera claims Atlético’s first choice remains keeping the Argentine forward, and that any serious discussion would only happen if the player made it absolutely clear he wanted to depart.
Even then, the report suggests Barcelona would remain out of the equation because of the strained relationship between the two clubs following months of speculation surrounding the player.
Instead, Arsenal are considered the most realistic destination, and one factor behind that belief is Viktor Gyökeres.
Talavera suggests Atlético see the Sweden international as an ideal immediate replacement if Álvarez were to move to north London, while Arsenal would also be expected to provide a substantial transfer fee as well as Gyokeres as a makeweight in any deal.
“The first thing Atlético are clear about is that they want Julián, but if, when he comes to us, they have a mature conversation and he absolutely wants to leave, he’s obviously not going to Barcelona,” said Talavera.
“They’re not going to strengthen a direct rival, especially given what Atlético de Madrid perceives as Barça’s behavior this year, pursuing and pressuring the player.
“If the final decision is that he absolutely has to leave, other options will be considered, and the strongest one is Arsenal, because it also guarantees the possibility of having an immediate replacement, which would be the Swede Gyökeres, in addition to a substantial sum of money.”
At this stage, though, plenty would still need to happen.
Atlético remain determined to keep one of their most important players, while Arsenal know any deal would require enormous financial commitment and the willingness of all parties to compromise.
If Álvarez ever becomes genuinely available, Arsenal would be right to explore every possible avenue, but after Gyokeres’ 21 goals in all competitions last season, it would be bittersweet to see the forward depart after just one season.
