Updated: 2 Jun 2026 15:41 BST |
5 min read
Arsenal have seen their hopes of signing Julian Alvarez boosted after learning Atletico Madrid have identified Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen as a possible replacement, according to reports in Spain.
The Gunners are looking to build on their momentous Premier League title victory last season by backing manager Mikel Arteta in the summer transfer window, which reopens on Monday, 15 June.
Arsenal are looking to strengthen in several areas of the pitch ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, with a host of targets including Atletico’s Alvarez, Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi and Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers on their wish list, according to BBC Sport.
Widespread reports have indicated Arsenal face stiff competition for Alvarez’s signature from both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, with the former believed to be preparing a €100million (£86m) offer, as per The Athletic.
With speculation rife regarding Alvarez’s future, Atletico slammed the speculation as “lies” last week, with the La Liga side directing the majority of their anger towards Barcelona.
Atletico took to social media last week to mock Barcelona’s reported interest in Argentina international Alvarez by offering a bag of sunflower seeds in exchange for Lamine Yamal.
HERE WE GO! Hemos enviado un fax al @FCBarcelona_es con nuestra oferta de traspaso: 4 entradas para el concierto de Bad Bunny de mañana, una suscripción anual al ABC y una bolsa de pipas. Esperamos ansiosos la respuesta para preparar el ‘announce’. pic.twitter.com/e0J7mPljHa
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) May 29, 2026
However, despite Atletico’s clear frustration over the rumours surrounding Alvarez, Spanish publication Diario AS are now claiming the club have found a potential replacement for the 26-year-old.
The same outlet claims Atletico have lined up a €75m (£64.8m) deal to sign Galatasaray and Nigeria forward Osimhen, in the event that Alvarez leaves the Metropolitano Stadium this summer.
Osimhen, like Alvarez, is regarded as one of the best strikers in Europe, having scored 59 goals in 74 games for Turkish giants Galatasaray.
The 27-year-old also scored 76 times in 133 games for Napoli between 2020 and 2024 and played a key role in ending the club’s 33-year wait to win Serie A during the 2022-23 season.
Arteta wants Arsenal to be “very ambitious” in summer transfer market
Meanwhile Arsenal boss Arteta has called on the club’s hierarchy to be “very ambitious” in the transfer window as his side look to bounce back from the painful loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.
The north Londoners were beaten 4-3 on penalties by Luis Enrique’s defending champions following a 1-1 draw in Budapest, with Kai Havertz’s opener having been cancelled out by Ousmane Dembele’s second-half spot kick.
Addressing the media after the heartbreaking defeat, the Spaniard said: “We’ll start to make some very important decisions if we want to reach another level.
“And we’re going to have to show that ambition because we are more than capable of doing it, but it’s going to demand us to be very ambitious, very fast and very smart.”
A report from The Times claims Arsenal are running the rule over Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali, West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes and Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi in their quest to strengthen in midfield this summer.
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