Arsenal retain interest in £101m-rated Julian Alvarez but January move unlikely

Arsenal are set to reignite their pursuit of Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez in January after a failed summer attempt, according to reports. The Argentine, now valued at £101m, is keen on a Barcelona move but looks likely to stay in Madrid until next summer.

  • Player: Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid)
  • Fee: £101m (down from over £120m)
  • Arsenal's position: Joint-top of Premier League, unbeaten in three Champions League league-phase games
  • Alvarez's preference: Barcelona
  • January likelihood: Very unlikely, per the report

Deal details

Arsenal failed with an attempt to sign Alvarez earlier in the summer and are now reportedly ready to revisit the situation in January. The 26-year-old is valued at £101m, a significant decrease from the transfer fee in excess of £120m Atletico Madrid previously demanded, following a lengthy saga over a potential move to Barcelona in which he refused to train and did not start the season at the right match fitness.

Alvarez has since re-entered Diego Simeone's plans and recently issued a public apology to Atletico's fanbase. The report suggests Atletico might not see much value in selling him midway through the season, and Alvarez is likely to stay put until next summer. Any move would likely require the player to push for a transfer, as he did in the summer.

Why Arsenal want Alvarez

Arsenal's attacking output has been a talking point this season, despite the club jointly leading the Premier League with Manchester City after winning seven of their first eight matches. Bukayo Saka's form has been particularly underwhelming, while Noni Madueke has also not covered himself in glory. Christos Tzolis had a strong start to the season but has been injured lately, whereas Viktor Gyokeres' role is peripheral and Eberechi Eze has also not been able to make the most of his minutes as a winger or number 10 for the Gunners.

Alvarez's ability to play as a left winger as well as a centre forward would give Mikel Arteta a versatile option in the final third. His potential arrival would likely see him compete with Saka, Madueke, Tzolis, Gyokeres and Eze for minutes, forcing one or more of that quintet to raise their level or risk being sidelined. However, any move is complicated by the player's desire to join Barcelona and Atletico's reluctance to sell mid-season.

The numbers

  • Arsenal's league position: Joint-top with Manchester City after winning 7 of their first 8 matches
  • Champions League: Unbeaten in 3 league-phase games
  • Alvarez's valuation: £101m
  • Previous asking price: In excess of £120m
  • Alvarez's age: 26

Talking points

  • Would Alvarez solve Arsenal's attacking inconsistency, or is the problem deeper than personnel? Saka and Madueke have underperformed, while Gyokeres and Eze are peripheral.
  • At £101m, is Alvarez a risk given his summer conduct? He refused to train and apologised to Atletico fans, raising questions about his commitment.
  • Should Arsenal wait until next summer? A January move is unlikely, and Barcelona may provide competition for his signature.
  • Is Arteta's squad bloated? Adding Alvarez would give Arsenal seven senior options for three attacking spots, potentially causing unrest.

What happens next

Arsenal's immediate focus is on maintaining their Premier League title challenge and Champions League progress. The club will continue to monitor Alvarez's situation at Atletico Madrid, with a summer move more plausible than a January one. Should Alvarez push for a Barcelona transfer and be denied, Arsenal could pounce. The January transfer window will reveal whether Atletico's stance softens.

Frequently asked questions

Will Arsenal sign Julian Alvarez in January?

It is very unlikely, according to the report. Atletico Madrid are reluctant to sell mid-season and Alvarez is likely to stay until next summer.

How much is Julian Alvarez valued at?

£101m, a decrease from the previous asking price of over £120m.

Why does Alvarez want to leave Atletico Madrid?

He is keen on a move to Barcelona, having refused to train during a summer saga over a potential transfer.

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