Arsenal dey monitor Julian Alvarez situation well well. Their strategy clear: dem dey wait for the Argentine striker move to Barcelona to collapse before dem go make offer wey fit prise am from Atletico Madrid.
According to “The Times”, newspaper “Sport” report say Arsenal don prepare their bid for Alvarez. Everything now dey depend on how willing the player be to leave Atletico this summer.
Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta don work hard to convince am. But so far, Alvarez no show any appetite for the move. His heart dey set on wearing Barcelona shirt.
The report suggest Arsenal offer fit include Viktor Gyokeres, wey dem sign last summer for 64 million euros, plus sum wey dey reach 100 million euros in guaranteed fees and add-ons. That formula fit tempt Atletico, especially as Diego Simeone dey admire the Swede.
For now, Arsenal no go open formal talks until dem get green light from player camp. That green light look far, with Alvarez focused on Barcelona.
Atletico Madrid don call Alvarez for pre-season training on 10 August. No sign say he intend to rebel or boycott sessions. The striker still dey plan to sit down with club officials, hoping to reopen door to negotiations with Barcelona.
Arsenal willing to offer Viktor Gyokeres as bait to bring Julian Alvarez to Emirates Stadium. Last summer, Gyokeres score more than 50 goals for Sporting Lisbon. But under Arteta, he no fit reach same numbers despite scoring 21 goals in all competitions. He no cement position as main striker.
Atletico dey point to humongous £427 million buy-out clause in Alvarez deal. But Arsenal want to test dem stubbornness by offering Gyokeres as part of player-plus-cash deal.
Last season, Gyokeres contribute 21 goals and three assists in 55 outings across all competitions. That performance no spark same enthusiasm as 54 goals and 13 assists wey he net during final campaign for Sporting.
Following Champions League final defeat, Arteta make clear say im team must recruit more elite talent. He talk: “We’ll start to make some very important decisions if we want to reach another level. We’re going to have to show that ambition.”
Thus far, transfer window don prove challenging for Arteta squad. Dem catch off guard by Chelsea sudden £117m offer for Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers. Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain also dey on Arteta shopping list.
Arteta fit also seek new defenders with William Saliba scheduled for back surgery this summer. A switch for free agent John Stones don dey discussed, while Ezri Konsa from Villa don dey pinpointed as possible target. Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United also dey top priorities, especially with Declan Rice battling neural hamstring injury at World Cup.
Arsenal Premier League title defence commence on August 21st when dem welcome newly promoted Coventry City.
