Barcelona's £86.5m Alvarez bid puts Arsenal on alert as Richards names two more targets

Barcelona have confirmed they submitted an £86.5m bid for Julian Alvarez on Friday, setting up a potential transfer battle with Arsenal for the Atletico Madrid and Argentina striker. Atletico raised doubts about the nature of the approach over the weekend, but Barcelona insist the offer has been formally submitted.

Alvarez, who joined Atletico for a reported £82m in the summer of 2024, has scored 49 goals across his two seasons in Madrid. He arrives at this summer’s market with proven Premier League credentials, having netted 36 times in 103 appearances for Manchester City before his move to Spain.

Arsenal have long been linked with the 25-year-old, and Barcelona’s public confirmation of their bid underlines the level of competition any pursuit would face. Alvarez’s goal threat and positional flexibility — able to operate as a centre-forward or in a supporting role — have made him one of the most coveted attackers ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Mikel Arteta, speaking after Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat, said his squad’s level rises “every season” and signalled an intent to push forward rather than reflect. The club’s summer 2025 additions — Martin Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze — set a high bar for incoming recruits.

Pundit Micah Richards, speaking on The Rest is Football alongside Gary Lineker, argued that Alvarez alone would not be sufficient reinforcement. “If they could get someone like Alvarez, it would just give them something different,” Richards said. “He’s one of the best strikers in world football going into the World Cup and he’s a World Cup winner as well.”

Richards agreed with Lineker that Arsenal also need a new option on the left flank and identified central midfield as a further area requiring investment. He pointed to the signing of Christian Norgaard as a partial solution in terms of squad depth and temperament, but suggested another midfielder is still required to compete at the highest level.

With Arsenal aiming to defend the Premier League title and return to the latter stages of the Champions League, the club’s hierarchy is expected to be active across multiple positions before the window closes.