Arsenal face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday night with Julian Alvarez, much admired at the Emirates, set to lead the Spanish side’s attack amid transfer interest
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has confirmed Arsenal’s transfer interest in Julian Alvarez.
Simeone openly discussed the Gunners’ interest in the Argentina international on the eve of Wednesday night’s Champions League semi-final first leg.
Arsenal are big admirers of the World Cup winner, who has shone for the Spanish club since joining from Manchester City in 2024. But any potential summer move would take mega-money, with Alvarez rated at £120m-plus by Atletico. His goalscoring record has made him one of European football’s hottest properties.
Asked if he was concerned about the future of his star man on Tuesday, Simeone said: “I’m not in Julian Alvarez’s head. I suppose that’s just normal. He is an extraordinary player. There’s interest from Arsenal, Barcelona, Paris Saint Germain and other teams. But there is nothing to be concerned about.”
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Arsenal splashed £64million on Viktor Gyokeres last summer to be their No.9 but the Swede has experienced mixed fortunes since moving to the Emirates which may tempt them to look for another striker this summer.
Paying for 26-year-old Alvarez might well mean the Gunners offloading a number of players and it provides another intriguing story to Wednesday’s Champions League showdown.
With Arsenal leading the hunt, they’ll now get an up close look at the Argentine over the two legs. Atletico may prefer selling to the Premier League, having resisted interest from Barcelona, but are also keen to seal a new contract extension.
Additionally, one player who may not be fit to face the Gunners is London-born Ademola Lookman.
The ex-Everton winger has been in outstanding form since a January switch from Italian side Atalanta, but is a doubt due to muscle issues. However, Simeone is hoping he will be ready.
“His work rate has been absolutely brilliant,” he added. “We hope he will be fit to play but we will have to wait and see. We will be ready for a tough game.”
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