Arsenal give Julian Alvarez an update after Atletico Madrid’s recent move
Arsenal has made it clear to Atletico Madrid that they’re still very interested in Julian Alvarez, even though the player himself has said he’d prefer to join Barcelona this season.
The current Premier League champions are off to a great start in the 2026/27 season, aiming to keep their title by strengthening their squad with some solid new players. Signing Ezri Konsa adds even more strength, alongside new arrivals like Bruno Guimaraes, Christos Tzolis, and Illan Meslier, making the team stronger all over the pitch.
Despite their strong 3-0 win over Coventry, Arsenal is still looking for a top forward like Julian Alvarez. The striker, who used to play for Manchester City, has told Atletico Madrid that he wants to move to Barcelona, making his future at Atletico uncertain. Alvarez has turned down Arsenal because he says joining Barcelona would “fulfil my dream.”
However, well-known reporter Fabrizio Romano says Arsenal isn’t giving up on Alvarez if Barcelona can’t finalize the deal. In his latest update, Romano shared, “Arsenal asked to be kept in the loop in case Julian changes his mind about playing in England. Right now, he only wants Barcelona — not Arsenal or any other big club. But Arsenal met with Atletico Madrid recently and want to hear if anything changes. They know the player is expensive but are ready to try financially if needed. They respect his wishes but want to be ready if he reconsiders in the next week.”
Barcelona is still working hard to sign a striker and sees Alvarez as a top target, though the financial details aren’t settled yet. Another player who could affect Arsenal’s plans is Viktor Gyokeres, a striker who is not in favour at Arsenal and has reportedly offered himself to Barcelona. Arsenal is even trying to use Gyokeres in a potential swap deal with Atletico Madrid, along with a big £65m fee.
Alvarez’s situation at Atletico seems tense, with reports saying his relationship with coach Diego Simeone is strained. He was left out of Atletico’s squad for their opening La Liga game against Malaga. Fans will be watching closely for the team news later today as Atletico plays Villarreal at home.