Arteta Speaks With Julian Alvarez as Diego Simeone Looms

Mikel Arteta has spoken directly to Julian Alvarez about joining Arsenal this summer, with the club trying to move ahead in the race for the Atletico Madrid striker. Diego Simeone now has to prepare for a Champions League semi-final first leg against a player whose future is already being contested.

Arteta and Alvarez

Arsenal have already held talks with Alvarez’s camp over Christmas, and El Chiringuito TV said the manager’s direct contact came ahead of the summer transfer window. The same report said Arsenal want at least €150million for the 26-year-old.

Matias Palacios said on El Chiringuito TV: “Arteta, Luis Enrique and Flick have spoken with Julian Alvarez.” That puts Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona in the same conversation around a striker who moved to Atletico Madrid from Manchester City in the summer of 2024.

Barcelona and PSG

Palacios’s account also tracks the broader chase around Alvarez, who is said to prefer a move to Barcelona. Luis Enrique and Hansi Flick have both spoken with him, and that keeps PSG and Barcelona in the frame while Arsenal try to push their case directly.

For Arsenal, the timing is awkward. Alvarez is under contract at Atletico and will face them in the Champions League semi-finals this season, starting with the first leg at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Wednesday evening.

Alvarez at Atletico

The Argentine forward arrived with a record that explains the attention around him. He won the Premier League title twice, the FA Cup once and the Champions League once with Manchester City, then added the 2022 World Cup with Argentina and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024.

Alvarez has also made it clear where his focus sits for now. “I try not to dwell on it too much because something new comes out every week, new information, and I don’t waste my energy on that,” he said. “Instead, I try to focus on what we’re doing.”

He added: “This is the most important time of the season, and I want to be in top form so I can help the team and achieve great things here.”