Arsenal’s pursuit of Julian Alvarez could be heading into a decisive final week, with Atletico Madrid reportedly willing to consider a massive offer from the Premier League champions for the Argentina international.
The Gunners have maintained contact over Alvarez while looking for another elite attacking addition, but the financial demands are enormous.
Atletico are also determined not to strengthen domestic rivals Barcelona, potentially leaving Arsenal as one of the few realistic destinations if the striker decides he wants to leave Madrid.
Atletico would consider €150m Arsenal offer
According to The Athletic, a source close to Atletico Madrid’s leadership believes the Spanish club could consider selling Alvarez if Arsenal submit an offer worth around €150m.
Arsenal held discussions with both Atletico and the player’s representatives last week, but they are still waiting for clear encouragement from Alvarez’s camp before committing themselves to such an expensive operation.
Atletico’s stance on Barcelona is considerably stronger. They do not want to sell their star forward to a direct La Liga rival, even though Barcelona have been Alvarez’s preferred destination for much of the summer.
However, the situation may now be changing. The Guardian reported that Alvarez is now considering Arsenal following a hostile reception from sections of the Atletico support during Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Villarreal.
The report adds that Arsenal have the financial strength to complete a deal that Barcelona may struggle to afford.
Gunners are waiting for approval from Alvarez
The biggest obstacle for Arsenal may not actually be the €150m valuation, it is convincing Alvarez that North London is where he wants to be.
Spending that amount on a player who still dreams of joining Barcelona would be a major risk.
Arsenal need complete commitment before making what would be one of the biggest transfers in Premier League history.
From a football perspective, however, Alvarez would be an outstanding addition.
His pressing, movement, finishing and ability to operate as either a striker or deeper attacker would give Mikel Arteta enormous flexibility.
The changing atmosphere at Atletico could also work in Arsenal’s favour. If Alvarez now believes his relationship with the club and supporters has become difficult, the Gunners suddenly have a genuine opening.
Not for sale: Arsenal told they have no chance of signing 21-year-old attacking sensation
Aletico paid £81m (€92m) for Alveraz and they now value him at €150m. That’s an increase resell value of apx 62%.
Arsenal paid £64m (€74m) for Gyokeres. If Arsenal also increase the resell value by 62% , then Gyokeres should be valued at €120m.
In a swap deal for (€150m Alveraz) Arsenal would have to offer (€120m Gyokeres) plus €30m on top, to meet Athleticos increased value of €150m for Alveraz.
Both teams increasing the resell value by the same margin of 62%.
Not a big difference in STATs for both players.
Gyokeres plus €30m for a swap to get Alveraz. See the weird logic.
I love the weird logic. Unfortunately, Arsenal grossly undervalue its players enough that other teams laugh deep down when striking deals. Somebody has to explain to me how Savinho is sold for £85m and Martinelli is valued @ under £60m yet truth is Arsenal will accept that as a good deal and then pay £130m+ for Alvarez
Ben,
I agree with what you said.
I believe that the reason might be 3 fold in that Martinelli has only one year left on his contract and is on very high wages and third is that he is on the decline with his STATs. Although he played better in Europe on the counter attack, playing through the middle.
I think Martinelli is trying to run his contract down to be able to leave for free, which is why Arteta won’t be held to ransom and has therefore dropped him so far from the squad as an uninvited disruption to the dressing room and prefers him watching the reserve team. Of course their could be other reasons, but it does seem strange. I don’t have all the facts and it’s Just my opinion.
I agree í ½í²¯