Alvarez exit doubts grow as Arsenal target Rogers ahead of Champions League final

Arsenal’s summer transfer plans are taking shape alongside their preparations for Saturday’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest, with doubts emerging over Julian Alvarez’s future at Atletico Madrid and a reported interest in Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers.

Llorente casts doubt on Alvarez’s Atletico future

Marcos Llorente has publicly admitted uncertainty over whether his Atletico Madrid team-mate Julian Alvarez will remain at the club beyond this season. Speaking to El Partidazo de COPE, the midfielder said he does not know what the Argentina international plans to do and added: “Neither does he, as things stand today.” Llorente went further, acknowledging: “I don’t ask him. He seems fine to me, but maybe he wants to leave and we don’t know.”

Spanish outlet Cadena SER reports that Alvarez has expressed a desire to leave Spain, a development that could encourage Arsenal to formalise their interest. The 26-year-old, who has scored 49 goals across two seasons at Atletico since leaving Manchester City, has also attracted attention from PSG and Barcelona. Atletico are understood to be seeking a fee of up to £90 million for the striker.

Rogers emerges as midfield target

Arsenal are also being linked with a move for Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, though securing the England international will require both a significant financial commitment and competition from other clubs. The source article was truncated before full details of the reported interest were available, but the pursuit is understood to be genuine as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his squad ahead of next season.

Arteta focused on completing the double

The transfer noise comes as Arsenal prepare for the biggest game in the club’s recent history. Arteta’s side claimed the Premier League title last weekend with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park — their first league championship in 22 years — and now face Luis Enrique’s PSG in Budapest with the prospect of a historic double.

Arteta said he is “fully convinced” his squad can deliver. “We have the opportunity to create new history in our club,” the Spaniard said. “I am convinced we are going to do it. We need this energy to flow and going against that, I think it will be a big mistake.”

He also spoke about the weight of expectation that comes with being champions. “I said to the boys that this shirt now represents something else. We are the champions, and that brings a lot of confidence and a different kind of presence and energy to it. But as well, another kind of responsibility. My job now and everybody at the club is going to be to lift those standards and achieve much more, because I think we are capable of doing it.”