Arsenal are reportedly still interested in signing Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, but Barcelona have already made contact with the Spanish club over a potential deal.
The forward has been Atletico’s best attacker since leaving Manchester City in a deal worth up to £82.2 million (€95m) in 2024, scoring 48 goals and making 17 assists in 104 appearances in all competitions.
Barça want the striker to complement Raphinha and Lamine Yamal in their front three, but his contract runs until 2030 and includes a release clause worth £433 million (€500m).
Arsenal ‘keen’ on Atletico’s Julian Alvarez as Barcelona make contact
According to ESPN, Barcelona have “initiated contact” with Atletico to find out their stance on a potential summer transfer. It’s claimed that head coach Hansi Flick wants a new no.9 and they see Alvarez as the “ideal candidate”.
La Blaugrana may be constrained financially from pulling a deal off, and Atletico are said to be reluctant to let their star player leave the club. They are apparently willing to hand him a new deal until 2032 to hold onto him.
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Barcelona also face competition from Arsenal, who “remain keen” on the former Manchester City star, according to The Telegraph. The Gunners “weighed up” a possible move for the World Cup winner when they were linked with him last summer.
The report adds that it would take around £86 million (€100m) to prise Alvarez away from Atletico, which would make him Arsenal’s second-most expensive player after Declan Rice.
In March, the Argentina international refused to confirm whether he would still be at Atletico next season. “Maybe yes, maybe no,” he told reporters. “You never know.”
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