Arsenal are once again interested in signing Julian Alvarez this summer, but they would need to sanction at least one significant sale in order to finance any prospective deal. The Gunners, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain have all been credited with an interest in Alvarez, who joined Atletico Madrid from Manchester City in the summer of 2024. A deal for the 26-year-old would not come cheap, though, with Alvarez contracted until 2030 with a release clause set at a seismic €500 million (£433 million).
Interest in Alvarez Expected This Summer
While nobody will be paying that sum to sign the Argentina attacker, interest in Alvarez is expected this summer. Diego Simeone admitted as much on Tuesday, with reports in Spain suggesting €100 million (£86 million) would be the starting point for any deal. Arsenal spent in excess of £270 million last summer without any major outgoings and would need to sell in order to be in a position where they can try and lure Alvarez back to the Premier League.
Five Players Who Could Be Sold
The Telegraph has outlined five players who could be sold this summer to fund further incomings in a new report, including two academy stars who have already been touted as potential Arsenal outgoings: Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly. Both have struggled for game time this term, with Lewis-Skelly falling down the pecking order behind Riccardo Calafiori at left-back, while Nwaneri was allowed to go out on loan to Marseille in January. As academy products, both players would represent 'pure profit' in regards to the current Profit and Sustainability rules, thereby giving Arsenal great financial flexibility.
Ben White is a player who could be moved on amid the fierce competition for places in defence. Jurrien Timber has usurped him as Arsenal's first-choice right-back, and White, signed for £50 million from Brighton, would command a substantial transfer fee. Another player at risk of being sold is Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian has struggled for form this season, scoring just once in the Premier League. With Arsenal keen to freshen up their attack, Martinelli could be sacrificed in order to aid such a process.
Gabriel Jesus is the fifth player mentioned, and the former Manchester City man will enter the final year of his contract this summer. Crucially, Jesus is one of three players capable of playing as an orthodox striker for Arsenal, alongside Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz. It is likely one of those would be moved on in order to create room for Alvarez in Mikel Arteta's side.
Competition for Alvarez
If Arsenal can raise the funds to move for Alvarez, competition for the forward's signature is likely to be fierce, with Barcelona already making moves and PSG also lurking. Even Simeone, Alvarez's manager, is unclear on where the player will be next season. "I'm not inside Julian Alvarez's head," he said in a press conference on Tuesday. "But I understand it's normal that an extraordinary player like Julian Alvarez is wanted by Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, and Barcelona. It's normal because he's very good."
