Arsenal eye January loan swoop for Atletico Madrid's out-of-favour Julian Alvarez

Arsenal are growing confident that a January move for Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez is achievable, with the Argentine having fallen sharply out of favour under Diego Simeone since the summer transfer window closed.

The Gunners had keenly pursued Alvarez during the off-season, but the 26-year-old ultimately remained in Madrid after Atletico refused to sanction a sale to Barcelona. With Hansi Flick’s side now focused on reinforcing their defence rather than their attack — and Raphinha thriving as an unconventional centre-forward with 14 goals in eight games — Barcelona’s interest in Alvarez has effectively dissolved, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes.

That shift in the landscape has given Arsenal fresh hope. Alvarez has started just once for Simeone since the summer — the opening Champions League defeat to Liverpool — with Atletico preferring summer signings Kang-in Lee and Jonathan David in attack, including during their weekend win in the Madrid Derby.

The urgency at Arsenal’s end was underscored by Sunday’s 3-0 defeat at Brighton, a result that exposed a lack of pace in Mikel Arteta’s frontline. Kai Havertz spurned a late one-on-one that could have salvaged a consolation, and Arteta had limited options from the bench to change the dynamic.

A loan deal is understood to be among the options Arsenal are considering, which could suit all parties: it would give Alvarez a route back to regular football and help rehabilitate his market value ahead of a potential permanent move in the summer, while providing Arsenal with the attacking depth they failed to secure in August.

Arteta’s squad has been further stretched by the summer departures of Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, and Leandro Trossard, and the manager appears to have lost confidence in Viktor Gyokeres, who has yet to start a Premier League match this season after disappointing outings in European and cup competition.

The situation surrounding teenager Max Dowman could also factor into any winter business. Dowman was preferred off the bench to Noni Madueke in the Brighton defeat, and while a loan move of his own might aid his development, his growing importance to a depleted attack may complicate that decision.