Big setback for Arsenal as Real Madrid steps in to sign Barcelona’s target
Real Madrid is reportedly interested in a player who’s also being chased by Arsenal and Barcelona this summer.
It’s been a big week in Madrid. Club president Florentino Perez, who’s been around for a long time, was re-elected until 2030. This means Jose Mourinho’s return can now be officially announced, as his new three-year contract depends on Perez staying in charge.
During his campaign, Perez, who won 65% of the vote, made some bold promises. He said he plans to spend around €150 million on a “great player” from a top Champions League team. He also made it clear it’s not Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, Michael Olise, or Harry Kane.
There were rumors about Paris Saint-Germain’s Vitinha and Joao Neves too, but PSG has denied those stories.
The mystery player might be Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, according to Spanish outlet SPORT. Both Barcelona and Arsenal have shown interest in him recently. Barcelona even made a £77.9 million offer, which seemed to annoy Atletico. In a playful reply, Atletico joked about offering four tickets to a Bad Bunny concert, a subscription to a magazine, and a bag of sunflower seeds instead!
SPORT says Real Madrid wants to stop Barcelona from signing Alvarez by making their own move, but his €500 million release clause could make things tricky.
Real Madrid has already asked about the 26-year-old striker, who is likely to be available this summer. Sky Sports Germany’s Patrick Berger tweeted that Real Madrid thinks highly of Alvarez and that Atletico would consider selling if an offer of €150 million comes in.
Last season, Alvarez scored 20 goals and made 9 assists in 49 games. Atletico finished fourth in La Liga, were Copa del Rey runners-up, and made it to the Champions League semi-finals.
Perez promised last week that he would make the bid around June 9. On a TV show, he said: “I have some news for you. Around Tuesday, I’m going to make an offer to a major Champions League club for a great player. It would be the biggest fee Real Madrid has ever paid.”
When asked about the player’s name, he said it’s not Olise or Doku, not Haaland either, and the player isn’t from the Premier League. He described the player as a midfielder who can attack and said the club will talk to the player’s club first. Perez finished by saying, “This signing is meant to get people excited, and that’s what it’s all about.”