Arsenal swoop in on Newcastle transfer, finding a new option with Julian Alvarez alternative
Arsenal had hoped to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, but that move to the Emirates Stadium is now off the table. Instead, the Premier League champions are trying to swoop in on one of Newcastle United’s transfer targets.
It’s been an exciting summer in north London, with Arsenal arguably coming out on top in the transfer window. They’ve made some great signings like Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle and Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa.
Now, manager Mikel Arteta wants to add more star power to his attack, which is why World Cup winner Alvarez was high on his list. However, this weekend The Athletic’s David Ornstein shared that Alvarez isn’t interested in joining Arsenal.
“Right now, there’s a low chance Alvarez comes to Arsenal,” Ornstein said before Liverpool’s 2-2 game with Nottingham Forest. “Atletico would agree to a deal, and Arsenal are ready to work on one, but the player has to want to come. Alvarez has told Arteta he doesn’t want to join.”
It’s clear that a move back to the Premier League wasn’t Alvarez’s first choice. He dreamed of playing for Barcelona, but that’s not happening either. Atletico Madrid’s CEO, Miguel Angel Gil Marin, said they would “never, ever” sell Alvarez to Barcelona, despite their president Joan Laporta publicly wanting him before the window closes.
The Spanish club has given Alvarez until Sunday, August 30, to decide his future after manager Diego Simeone confirmed he won’t be in the squad against Sevilla.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have started talks with Lille’s forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo, who wants to leave the Ligue 1 club this summer. Newcastle have been interested in the 21-year-old but haven’t wanted to meet his £60 million price tag, so Arsenal could take advantage and try to sign him.
CaughtOffside reports that Arsenal are now a serious option and are more willing to negotiate for the versatile Belgian star. Fernandez-Pardo can play as a striker or on the wings, and last season he scored 8 goals and made 7 assists in 41 games for Lille.
Liverpool are also interested in Fernandez-Pardo, especially after they moved closer to signing Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola for a huge £123 million. The Reds have a history of spoiling Newcastle’s plans, like they did last summer with Hugo Ekitike, and they could do it again with Fernandez-Pardo.
But with Arsenal stepping in and seeing the young player as a smart buy, the Premier League champions might be in the lead for his signature.