Arsenal are interested in signing Atletico Madrid attacker Julian Alvarez, who they face tonight in the Champions League semi-finals
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo expects Julian Alvarez to stay put this summer despite widespread transfer interest in the Argentina international.
Arsenal, who face Atletico in tonight’s Champions League semi-final, appear ready to rival Barcelona for the former Manchester City striker’s signature.
Both clubs, alongside PSG, were credited as admirers of Alvarez by Atletico boss Diego Simeone in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
Yet Cerezo is disappointed with the persistent speculation and does not envisage an exit materialising.
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When asked about stories linking Alvarez with Barcelona, he said: “You’re here for tonight’s game, right? Tonight’s game, I imagine Julian is an Atletico de Madrid player. And tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, and next season. I think bringing up Julian Alvarez again is hurtful.”
Mikel Arteta refused to comment on whether Arsenal were tracking Alvarez, who has scored 19 goals so far this season in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Simeone said he understands why Europe’s biggest clubs might want to prise the 26-year-old away from the Metropolitano: “I understand it’s normal that an extraordinary player like Julian Alvarez is wanted by Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona. It’s normal because he’s very good.”
While Arsenal do have Alvarez on their radar – sporting director Andrea Berta brought the player to Atletico Madrid from Manchester City in 2024 – they would have to secure some sales to bolster their spending power.
Talk in Spain suggests it could take up to £115m for Atletico to consider a sale and even then, there is no real appetite to part ways with the centre-forward.
The player himself isn’t thinking about the future, stating during a press conference earlier this week: “I can’t keep coming out all the time to clarify or deny things. I don’t give importance to what’s said on social media because it snowballs, so I focus on what I can do on the pitch.
“I try not to give it much importance because something comes out every week. I don’t waste energy on that, I focus on these matches and on doing my best for the team.”
Alvarez is fit to start against Arsenal despite recently battling a thigh issue. He missed his team’s last four La Liga matches but looks set to return to the starting XI tonight after netting in the recent Copa del Rey final defeat to Real Sociedad.
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