Arsenal are reportedly exploring the possibility of recruiting Atlético de Madrid striker Julián Álvarez in the upcoming summer transfer window .
As reported by beIN Sports on Sunday (January 25th), this interest emerged just one year after the Gunners broke the club’s transfer record by signing Viktor Gyökeres. The move underscored Arsenal’s ambitious plans to strengthen their attack.
This transfer initiative was driven by Arsenal’s sporting director, Andrea Berta, who has close ties with Atlético de Madrid’s management.
Berta previously spent 12 years with the Spanish club and played a key role in Álvarez’s transfer from Manchester City in August 2024. This personal and professional closeness is considered to facilitate communication between the clubs.
Sources close to the situation say Arsenal have made an informal approach to assess the feasibility of a transfer for Álvarez.
Andrea Berta also has a close relationship with the player’s agent, Fernando Hidalgo, which could potentially lead to initial talks. However, Arsenal are still considering the situation carefully before making a formal offer.
Arsenal’s interest in Álvarez isn’t new, as his name had already been on the club’s radar the previous summer. At the time, Arsenal management considered Álvarez alongside Benjamin Šeško before ultimately settling on Viktor Gyökeres.
However, the opportunity to re-pursue Álvarez remains open if he is deemed capable of improving the squad’s quality.
The effort to bring in Álvarez will certainly not be easy because the player is tied to a contract with Atlético until 2030.
The 26-year-old striker has a release clause of €500 million, although this figure is considered unrealistic. The Spanish club is reportedly only willing to open negotiations with offers above €100 million.
In addition to Arsenal, Barcelona is also said to be closely monitoring Álvarez’s situation. However, the Catalan club’s financial constraints could potentially be an advantage for Arsenal, who have a more stable financial base.
Álvarez’s impressive form for Atlético, with 40 goals in 85 appearances, makes him a very attractive target for Mikel Arteta’s side.