Updated: 15 Jul 2026 08:56 BST |
4 min read
Make us your Google favourite
Arsenal are ready to sacrifice Viktor Gyokeres in a spectacular bid to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, according to a report.
The Gunners are seeking more firepower during the transfer window, and while they have made strong progress to sign Morgan Rogers and Bruno Guimaraes from Aston Villa and Newcastle respectively, they have so far been frustrated in their efforts to sign Alvarez.
The Argentina international has been established as a firm target for Arsenal, though the player prefers a move to Barcelona.
Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, are playing hardball. They are not willing to sell Alvarez cheaply, rejecting a €150 million bid from Real Madrid for the player, even though it is doubtful just how seriously Los Blancos were about signing the former Manchester City star.
Barca made a €100m bid, but this was mocked by Atleti, who are said to have told the Spanish champions to stump up the player’s €500m release fee.
The Spaniards have made clear that it will take something extravagant for them to sanction a sale, and according to TalkSport, Mikel Arteta’s side believe that Gyokeres could hold the key.
Gyokeres used in Alvarez swap deal?
Arsenal are willing to use Gyokeres in a part-exchange deal to cut the price of Alvarez.
The Sweden international star has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €60.8m, which would eat significantly into the fee Atleti will demand for Alvarez, whose ETV sits at €103m.
Doubts have been raised over the likelihood of such a deal taking place. Swaps are notoriously difficult to conduct as they need the agreement of so many different parties, and though Atleti do hold an interest in Gyokeres, Arsenal’s interest in the Argentine is still at the ‘exploratory’ stage.
‘Arsenal would be terrific for Alvarez’
Arsenal have been backed as an excellent destination for Alvarez by TalkSport’s European football expert Andy Brassell.
“He’s someone who can really lead a team,” he said.
“He has heart and soul; he gives everything in every game. He does so much running… can create on his own, score from within the penalty box, from range, can set up others.
“Arsenal would be a terrific spot for him. It would be a plus for Arsenal as well, I don’t think they have a player like him, there aren’t many players in football quite like him either.”
Alvarez’s willingness to move to Arsenal is doubtful, however. Sky Sports reports that the player is unwilling to return to the Premier League, fuelling Barcelona’s hopes of landing the attacker.
Related stories:
Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Barcola latest, two Man Utd signings, City lead €100m race
Transfer Rumours: Chelsea threat as Andreas Schjelderup race explodes
Premier League summer transfers 2026: All the Done Deals
