Arsenal make ‘several bids’ for English striker as Gunners in standoff with club

Arsenal have continued to assess attacking options despite entering the new season as Premier League champions, with the Gunners seeing ‘several’ English striker bids rejected.

Mikel Arteta already has Viktor Gyökeres and Kai Havertz at his disposal, but Arsenal remain alert to genuine elite level opportunities.

The most ambitious name on their list is Julián Alvarez.

Arsenal’s interest in the Atlético Madrid forward was confirmed by Diego Simeone in April and has remained in place throughout the summer.

REUTERS/ Maurice Van Steen

Alvarez can lead the line, drop into midfield or move across the attack, making him an obvious fit for Arteta’s demand for versatility. However, Atletico have consistently resisted approaches for the Argentina international.

Sky Sports reported that the Spanish club valued him at around £130 million earlier in the window, while Barcelona have also been pushing for his signature.

That has made a deal extremely difficult, particularly with Alvarez reportedly favouring a move to the Camp Nou if he leaves Madrid.

Victor Osimhen has also returned to the conversation.

The Telegraph reported that Arsenal and Galatasaray discussed his availability during talks involving possible moves to Turkey for Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri.

REUTERS/Murad Sezer

However, The Athletic subsequently stated that there are no active negotiations between Arsenal and Galatasaray over the Nigerian.

Osimhen would offer pace, power and a proven penalty box presence, but his wages and transfer cost would make any deal a major financial burden.

Arsenal have also admired Bournemouth youngster Eli Junior Kroupi, another attacker capable of playing centrally or from the left, but his foot injury, estimated to keep him out for three to four months, has since cast doubt over any summer move.

Kroupi would represent a younger, long-term investment, while Alvarez or Osimhen would be expected to make an immediate impact on Arteta’s starting side.

Arsenal’s search has not only focused on established first team stars.

Andrea Berta and the club’s academy staff have also been looking for young forwards who could develop into future senior options, and The Athletic have now reported that Arsenal’s very long-running attempt to sign Blackburn Rovers striker Igor Tyjon remains ongoing.

Arsenal still chasing Igor Tyjon with ‘several’ offers rejected by Rovers

The 18-year-old Englishman has chosen not to accept professional terms at Ewood Park, with Blackburn instead extending his scholarship into a third year to avoid losing him.

Arsenal have also submitted ‘several bids’ for Tyjon, but Rovers have still refused to sanction his departure, which has left the clubs locked in a standoff as the transfer deadline approaches.

Tyjon joined Blackburn from Rochdale in 2023 and made his Championship debut against Bristol City in September 2024, aged just 16. He has since represented England at Under 18 level, scoring twice against Morocco last September.

The teenage sensation is not simply a traditional target man.

He has the movement and technical ability to operate across many attacking areas, although Arsenal would initially be signing him for their development pathway rather than Arteta’s starting side.

Blackburn’s refusal to sell shows how highly they value him, but rejecting a professional deal has placed his long-term future in doubt.

Arsenal have already demonstrated their persistence through repeated offers, but unless one side changes their position, one of the club’s longest-running youth pursuits could remain unfinished beyond the summer deadline.