Arteta Pursues Julian Alvarez as Arsenal's Transfer Window Heats Up

Julian Alvarez remains right at the top of Arsenal’s attacking wish list – and Mikel Arteta has now personally entered the fray.

Reports in Spain say the Arsenal manager has spoken directly with the Atletico Madrid forward about a move to the Emirates Stadium. From Madrid, the message is the same: the Argentine is open to the idea.

The situation around him is tense. Alvarez was left out of Atletico’s La Liga opener against Malaga, with Diego Simeone explaining that the forward was not in the right frame of mind to play. The atmosphere turned sour when he was whistled by sections of his own support during the club’s first league game of the campaign.

Asked about the player’s future in the wake of those hostilities, Simeone kept his cards close to his chest. “We always aim to secure the best possible tools, just as we’ve always had,” he said. “And, well, let’s hope we can assemble the best possible squad between now and the deadline.”

Arsenal vs Barcelona in Alvarez race

Alvarez has also been strongly linked with Barcelona. Atletico, though, have shown little appetite to strengthen a direct domestic rival and have so far resisted doing business with the Catalan club.

Camp Nou is believed to be Alvarez’s dream destination. That has not closed the door on Arsenal. Far from it. With Arteta already in contact, a move to north London remains firmly in play if Atletico decide to cash in and Barcelona cannot unlock a deal.

Spanish outlet Diario AS report that Arteta has spoken to the player about a summer switch, underlining how serious Arsenal are about adding another forward option before the window shuts.

Arteta’s rebuild continues

All this comes against the backdrop of a busy summer at the Emirates.

Ezri Konsa became the latest arrival after completing a £51million move from Aston Villa. He joins a defensive unit that Arteta felt was short, particularly with Jurrien Timber and William Saliba both sidelined by long-term injuries.

“We needed one more player, we had seven players in the defensive line, we know that that's not enough,” Arteta said when asked about Konsa’s arrival. “We have two long-term injuries, one with Jurrien, and one with Willy.

“And we wanted someone that didn't have the qualities that we already have, so somebody ideally with experience, because as a centre-back in this league you cannot play jokes, we know how important that position is, and I think Ezri brings a lot of qualities that we needed.”

The headline signing, though, is Bruno Guimaraes. Arsenal paid £75million to prise the captain away from Newcastle United, adding authority and bite to a midfield already reshaped by the arrivals of Piero Hincapie and Christos Tzolis. Hincapie’s move from Bayer Leverkusen was made permanent after last season’s loan.

Arteta has been clear that the spending is not necessarily over. Before Arsenal began their Premier League title defence, he stressed that the club remain active in the market and on the lookout for the right opportunities.

Champions start strong – but still want more

On the pitch, Arsenal have started like champions. A 3-0 victory over Coventry City at the Emirates laid down an early marker, with Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard all on the scoresheet.

The squad looks deeper. The spine looks stronger. Yet Arteta is still pushing for one more major attacking piece.

If Atletico finally open the door and Barcelona stay blocked, does Julian Alvarez become the final flourish to Arsenal’s summer rebuild?