Arsenal have made a final push to sign Julian Alvarez before the transfer window closes, with Mikel Arteta contacting the Atletico Madrid striker again in an effort to convince him to move to north London.
The latest development adds another layer to Arsenal's late-window attacking plans. The club have already been active this summer, bringing in Illan Meslier on a free from Leeds, Christos Tzolis for £34.12m from Club Brugge, Bruno Guimaraes for £75m from Newcastle and making Piero Hincapie's loan from Bayer Leverkusen permanent for £34.5m. Leandro Trossard, meanwhile, has left Arsenal for Besiktas.
Arsenal are still searching for another attacker
Ben Jacobs has said Arsenal are still expected to add some form of left-sided or versatile attacker, even after strengthening in several areas earlier in the summer. That explains why Alvarez has remained part of the conversation, especially with Arsenal now making one more serious attempt to bring him in.
Arsenal were also linked with Morgan Rogers, but recent reports said they were not willing to pay the £117m Chelsea paid for him. At the same time, Vinicius Junior has signed a new contract at Real Madrid, which removes another potential high-end option from the market.
Jacobs has also noted that not all of the profiles Arsenal are considering are identical to Vinicius Junior, but Alvarez is one possible solution if Atletico Madrid decide to sell. The key issue is whether the Spanish club are prepared to part with one of their major attacking players at all.
Alvarez's preference is clear
Perhaps the most important part of the latest update is Alvarez's response. In recent days, he told Arteta that his priority would be Barcelona if he leaves Atletico Madrid. That gives Arsenal a difficult task, even with Arteta personally involved in the push.
Barcelona are the preferred destination, and that naturally shapes the picture. Atletico may also prefer, if they believe the player wants to move on, to sell outside La Liga. That only adds to the uncertainty around where Alvarez could end up if he does leave.
For Arsenal, the message is simple: the club are still trying to add another attacker, and Alvarez is one of the biggest names in the frame. But with Barcelona in pole position in the player's mind, this is not a straightforward recruitment battle.
What happens next will depend on Atletico Madrid's stance, Alvarez's desire to leave, and whether Arsenal can change the direction of a transfer that currently appears to favour Barcelona.
