All signs point to Arsenal as Atletico push Julian Alvarez toward £80m-plus move

Atletico Madrid are pushing Julian Alvarez toward a move to Arsenal, with a Spanish report claiming the 26-year-old’s future will be resolved imminently and that “all signs point to England” — despite the striker’s own preference for a transfer to Barcelona.

The claim comes from Spanish outlet Sport, relayed by Sport Witness, which notes that Arsenal’s standing offer sits at €80 million plus Viktor Gyokeres, and that Alvarez “can double his salary at the Emirates and have a key role under Mikel Arteta.” Atletico sporting director Mateu Alemany is currently in London to discuss a separate deal for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, and Sport Witness suggests Alvarez could also feature in those conversations.

Arsenal have pursued the Argentine throughout the summer window. Gunners manager Mikel Arteta has reportedly phoned Alvarez personally, while Real Madrid saw a £129 million approach for the player rejected by their city rivals earlier in the window. Despite that interest from the Bernabéu, Alvarez has consistently been linked with a move to Barcelona as his preferred destination.

Alvarez himself said earlier this summer that “the best thing for everyone is a transfer and I want to fulfil my dream” — language widely interpreted as pointing toward the Camp Nou rather than north London. His Transfermarkt valuation stands at €120 million.

The broader picture at Arsenal is complicated. Viktor Gyokeres — included as part of the Alvarez offer — is now also being linked with Barcelona, as is Gabriel Jesus, who is said to be on the Blaugrana’s shortlist. Gabriel Martinelli has reportedly turned down an approach from Galatasaray, while Victor Osimhen is said to have attracted interest from the Gunners. Arsenal were not involved in the pursuit of Bradley Barcola, and moves for Vinicius Jr and Morgan Rogers both came to nothing — the former signing a new deal at Real Madrid, the latter joining Chelsea in a British record transfer.

Despite the flurry of links, Arteta is said to be prepared for the possibility that no additional forward arrives at London Colney before the window shuts.