Arsenal are thinking about an £80m Premier League star as a surprising backup to Julian Alvarez.
Arsenal are looking at a few options besides Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, including a Premier League star valued at £80 million, according to reports.
After winning their first league title in 22 years last season, Mikel Arteta’s team is the front-runner to do it again, thanks to an amazing transfer window.
The Gunners have strengthened their squad in key areas, bringing in Premier League stars like Ezri Konsa and Bruno Guimaraes.
New signing Christos Tzolis has already made a great start at the Emirates, assisting on his Premier League debut in the 3-0 win over Coventry City after joining from Club Brugge for £34m.
Arsenal now has strong players all over the field, but Arteta isn’t done yet—he’s hoping to sign Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez before the September 1 deadline.
Alvarez wants to leave Atletico and was even booed by his own fans during their 2-2 draw with Villarreal.
Atletico values him at £128 million, which would break the Premier League transfer record—just two years after he moved from Manchester City for £82m.
Arsenal might be ready to smash their transfer record for the 26-year-old forward, though Alvarez prefers a move to Barcelona, calling it his “dream.”
But Atletico has firmly said there’s “zero” chance he will go to Barca and released a strong statement on August 26, which might actually give Arsenal an advantage.
Still, it looks tough for Arteta to agree on personal terms with Alvarez, so they could explore other options.
Arteta wants a forward who can play in any position across the front line.
Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye fits that profile, and according to talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs, Arsenal have considered signing the Senegalese player.
Manchester City are also interested after seeing him perform well for Everton last season.
Ndiaye has been linked with a move away from Everton this summer, attracting interest from Saudi Arabia—Al-Hilal made a serious offer in early August.
But Everton are standing firm with an £80 million asking price, reflecting both his talent and the current market.
He has three years left on his contract and has already impressed this season, assisting in Everton’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace last weekend.
Manager David Moyes even started him in the Carabao Cup, where Everton won 4-0 against Preston North End.
When asked last week about Ndiaye leaving before the transfer window closes, Moyes said it would take an “outrageous offer” to sell him.
“No. Unless there’s something absolutely outrageous,” Moyes said. “We say everyone has a price, but he has no price to me. As long as I’ve been here, he’s not leaving, and I don’t know where those stories came from.”