27 Apr 2026 11:55 BST |
4 min read
Arsenal will be required to make Julian Alvarez their all-time record signing if they want to complete a deal for the Atletico Madrid striker this summer.
Mikel Arteta’s side are expected to be extremely busy in the transfer market when the window opens in June, with a number of reinforcements set to arrive at the Emirates Stadium as they look to significantly strengthen their first-team squad.
As exclusively revealed by FootballTransfers, Arsenal are looking to finalise deals for Newcastle United trio Valentino Livramento, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon this summer, while they have also been linked with several strikers amid the uncertain future of Gabriel Jesus.
The Brazil international has just one year remaining on his current contract with the north London giants and although reports indicate that he is eager to extend his stay at the club, it’s understood that a sale is likely to take place.
The future of Viktor Gyokeres is also unknown, with transfer insider IndyKaila speculatively claiming that a sale will be permitted after just one season at the club.
Julian Alvarez transfer update
Club Brugge’s Nicolo Tresoldi and Bayer Leverkusen’s Christian Kofane have both been heavily linked with an Emirates Stadium switch this summer, although it has been widely reported that Alvarez is regarded as their first-choice new striker following an excellent stint at Atletico Madrid.
However, Ben Jacobs has confirmed that Barcelona also view the 26-year-old as their “dream” target, having already held multiple meetings with his representatives. But, the Camp Nou outfit may struggle to finance a deal as Atleti are holding out for a club-record fee that will exceed the €120m paid by Barca to sign Antoine Griezmann back in 2019.
If Arsenal want to beat Hansi Flick’s side to a deal, they will therefore be required to make Alvarez their most expensive signing in history.
That honour is currently held by Declan Rice, thanks to his €116.6m transfer from West Ham United in 2023, but his record will need to be broken if Arsenal are to secure the signing of Alvarez this summer.
The former Manchester City striker has scored 48 goals in 104 games since moving to Madrid and Atleti’s asking price is on par with his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV), which stands at €116.3m – the 10th highest of any player in world football.
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