Arsenal push for Julián Álvarez after deals to sell Martinelli and Jesus

Arsenal are still trying to persuade Julián Álvarez to choose the Premier League, with The Guardian stressing that time is running short for the push from Atlético Madrid.

The key backdrop is that Arsenal have already moved on the outgoing side: deals to sell Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Fábio Vieira collectively bring in over £70m, according to the report. But Atlético’s position is the biggest obstacle—Atlético say they will not let Álvarez join Barcelona, their La Liga rival.

Arsenal’s contact with Álvarez

As the article explains, Álvarez’s mindset remains complicated. The Guardian says he has his heart set on Barcelona, even with Atlético insisting they will not sell to league rivals. The forward returned to training on Sunday after being left out of the squad for the win over Sevilla.

Crucially, the report adds that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is understood to have spoken to Álvarez last week in an effort to bring him to the Premier League—only for the Argentine to reportedly make clear he wants Barcelona.

The clock and other market moves

While the Álvarez chase continues, Atlético have been active elsewhere. The Guardian notes they have agreed a deal with Juventus for Jonathan David, initially a loan with an option to make it permanent next summer.

For Arsenal, squad planning is also tied to the Martinelli exit. The report says the move of Martinelli to Al-Hilal is expected to be a club-record £56m sale, creating space, with Eberechi Eze another option on that side. Martinelli is expected to have his medical on Monday, after being left out of Arsenal’s opening-weekend squad against Coventry.

Options Arsenal are monitoring

The Guardian also lists alternatives Arsenal are watching: Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye was among the targets, though Tottenham are in advanced talks over a £60m deal for the Senegal forward. Arsenal missed out on Morgan Rogers to Chelsea and failed in an ambitious attempt to sign Vinícius Júnior after he agreed a contract extension at Real Madrid.