Arsenal information: £180m record-breaking double switch offers deliberate in Mikel Arteta swoop
Arsenal are pursuing a world class attacking star as Mikel Arteta’s Premier League champions look set for historic deals this summer transfer window
Arsenal are set for major moves in the summer transfer window(Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal are prepared to break two transfer records to land their key target this summer transfer window.
The Premier League champions have bolstered their ranks this summer, shelling out nearly £200million on Piero Hincapie, Illan Meslier, Christos Tzolis, Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa. But they remain in the market for a world class attacking star, with former Manchester City forward turned Atletico Madrid goal machine Julian Alvarez firmly in their sights.
Mikel Arteta’s men have got off to a dream start this season, with a 3-0 victory over newly-promoted Coventry City in their opening Premier League fixture following a 3-0 win versus Manchester City in the Community Shield. Yet things could soon get even better for the Gunners. Here’s all the latest news from the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta could soon have even more to celebrate at Arsenal(Image: Getty )
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Julian Alvarez price tag
The Athletic reports Atletico Madrid would refuse to consider any bid below €150m (£128.3m) from Arsenal for their star striker Julian Alvarez.
The Argentine has been on the Gunners’ radar well before the summer transfer window, with the 26-year-old forward representing one of Arteta’s primary targets, despite claims that he would prefer a move to Barcelona.
With Arsenal’s hunt for a marquee striker ongoing and their chase of other prospects like Vinicius Junior having fallen through, speculation surrounding Alvarez has intensified. Yet Atletico’s position has remained their talisman is not available to buy.
Arsenal continue to pursue a transfer for Julian Alvarez (Image: (Photo by Manu Reino/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images))
Circumstances might differ regarding Arsenal though, considering the Spanish club are specifically declining to sell to direct competitors Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Real Madrid revealed in June they had seen a £128m proposal turned down for Alvarez, though Atleti sources claimed they doubted the offer was a serious submission. The north Londoners have yet to submit a formal bid.
It would also need Arsenal to be able to balance the books with 25-year-old Brazil winger Gabriel Martinelli closing in on a £50m move to Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal, reports the Mirror.
That would represent a record sale for the Gunners – eclipsing the £35m they received nearly 10 years ago in 2017 when Liverpool wooed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Anfield – with Martinelli’s initial reluctance to go to Saudi having softened because it is clear he is no longer in Arteta’s plans.
Alvarez faced jeers and whistles from his own fans during Atletico’s draw with Villarreal on Sunday, before being instructed by a club official not to acknowledge supporters.
The forward, who has scored 49 goals in 107 appearances for the club, appeared disheartened as he trudged down the tunnel unaccompanied amid the hostile reception.
Arsenal ‘prepared to sell’ Lewis-Skelly
Myles Lewis-Skelly has been linked with a move away from Arsenal this summer(Image: (Photo by Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images))
Arsenal are said to be willing to part ways with Myles Lewis-Skelly should a club match their asking price for the teenager, which exceeds £50m.
The 19-year-old academy product regained his spot in the starting XI during the latter stages of last season following growing doubts about his future, having dropped down the pecking order under Arteta for the left-back role.
Lewis-Skelly emerged as one of Arsenal’s most impressive performers during pre-season and has featured from the start in both of their opening two official matches of the campaign, catching the eye in both triumphs.
Following reports the Gunners had offered their promising youngster to rivals including Chelsea and Manchester United, plus the player’s intriguing goal celebration earlier this month, Arteta appeared to quash exit rumours last week.
The manager responded “100%” when questioned about his confidence that Lewis-Skelly would stay at the club past the transfer deadline.
However, The Sun now claim United retain hope that Arsenal might be convinced to offload the midfielder, whom the Red Devils envisage deploying as a left-back.
Lewis-Skelly has not publicly commented on speculation regarding his future this summer, though he did express his desire to build a legacy in north London when penning fresh terms last year.
