Missing out on the World Cup champion, Arsenal shifts focus to a Serie A gem

Julian Alvarez clarifies his priority to remain in Spain amid speculation of Arsenal’s interest, as Atletico and Inter are firm on keeping their core players before the summer transfer period.

Arsenal is thriving in the Premier League title race, but simultaneously, the club’s management has already started planning to strengthen the squad for the upcoming summer transfer window. One of the most notable targets is Julian Alvarez, the former Manchester City striker currently registered with Atletico Madrid.

Recently, the English media have continuously reported that Arsenal is ready to spend around £87 million to bring the 2022 World Cup winner back to the Premier League. Besides the Gunners, Chelsea and Manchester United are also said to be interested in the 26-year-old forward. However, the latest developments indicate that this deal will not be straightforward.

According to Spanish press, Alvarez has made his stance clear amid transfer rumors. The Argentine striker does not prioritize returning to England at present. If he leaves Atletico Madrid, he is reportedly more inclined to join Barcelona rather than return to the Premier League environment. This information clearly deals a significant blow to Arsenal’s ambitions, even though Barcelona is still struggling financially to meet the high transfer fee.

From Atletico Madrid’s side, the Madrid club is showing a tough stance. President Enrique Cerezo affirms that Alvarez remains happy and no official offers have been submitted so far. Although his current contract runs until 2030, Atletico is reportedly considering extending it further to ward off interest from big clubs. Coach Diego Simeone also defended his player when questioned about his recent dip in scoring form, emphasizing Alvarez’s class and influence within the squad.

In this context, Arsenal is closely monitoring another option, Pio Esposito from Inter Milan. The 20-year-old striker is having a breakthrough season with 7 goals and 6 assists in 32 games, quickly attracting attention from many top clubs. Facing interest from the Premier League, Inter has promptly initiated plans to renew the young talent’s contract to keep hold of this promising prospect.

Clearly, although in a favorable position in the title race, Arsenal still faces many challenges in negotiations. Securing a top-class striker is a top priority, but this ambition will largely depend on the stars’ stances and the firmness of the clubs that own them.