Arsenal information: £86.5m Julian Alvarez switch approval as star ‘agrees private phrases’
Arsenal are set to be busy in the summer transfer window as Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta look to strengthen their squad, with Julian Alvarez among their top targets ahead of a fresh campaign
Mikel Arteta is set for a busy summer
Arsenal are ready to move quickly as they look to build upon their triumphant 2025/26 campaign. The Gunners will be eager to give themselves the best opportunity of defending their Premier League title while launching a genuine bid for European glory.
Julian Alvarez remains a long-term target on their radar. The Argentina international will draw considerable interest this summer, though Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta will undoubtedly also be monitoring other prospective signings.
Arteta has discussed his team’s standards improving “every season” as he and his squad look forward rather than reflecting on Champions League final heartbreak. Daily Star Sport compiled the latest updates from around the Emirates Stadium.
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Massive Julian Alvarez bid launched
Barcelona have reinforced claims they have tabled £86.5m for Julian Alvarez despite questions emerging over the authenticity of the approach.
Atletico Madrid cast doubt over the weekend about their La Liga rivals bidding for the star, but Barca insist the offer was made, reports Football London.
Meanwhile, Mundo Deportivo in Spain claim Alvarez has agreed personal terms with Barcelona on a five-year contract, despite no deal being reached between the two clubs over a fee.
The Catalan giants seem to be Arsenal’s main competition for the Argentine striker, who already boasts Premier League experience from a two-year stint at Manchester City. Alvarez has demonstrated his quality in England, netting 36 times, and has notched 49 goals for Atleti.
While Alvarez wouldn’t come cheap, his scoring ability and attacking flexibility position him as a genuine option. It remains unclear whether Arsenal can match Barcelona’s interest in a player who cost his current employers over £80m in 2024.
Arsenal told to make further signings
According to pundit Micah Richards, Alvarez isn’t the only target Arsenal should be pursuing this summer, though he’s clearly an admirer of the South American and approves of his signing.
“He’s one of the best strikers in world football going into the World Cup and he’s a World Cup winner as well,” Richards said on The Rest is Football.
The former England defender agreed with presenter Gary Lineker that the Gunners also need reinforcements on the left wing and suggested they require another central midfielder as well.
“Bringing in [Christian] Norgaard has worked to a certain degree in terms of his temperament, so he’s not going to moan if he’s not playing,” the pundit and former England defender added.
“Myles Lewis-Skelly has proven he can certainly perform in that role. I just believe to truly utilise someone like [Martin] Zubimendi, you need to position him slightly higher so he can get on the ball and distribute his passes from a deeper position and dictate,” he added.
“If they can bring in another player in the centre alongside a [Declan] Rice, someone with more of a box-to-box style, higher energy and aggression.
“That, a new forward and an additional winger, they can compete for the next two, three, four years – that’s how good I believe they can be.”
