Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta goes all out with Julian Alvarez

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta plays his "last card" in pursuit of Julian Alvarez. Despite securing victory in the Community Shield this weekend, the Gunners are still looking to bolster their attack to defend their Premier League title. New signing Christos Tzolis is currently preferred on the left wing.

While names like Vinicius Jr and Morgan Rogers were floated this summer, time is running out for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta has taken a direct role in negotiations to bring Julian Alvarez, Atletico Madrid’s striker, to England. The Spanish manager wants to add a top-level attacker to his squad to compete with his current options. Though Julian Alvarez can play on the left wing, Viktor Gyokeres has failed to impress some supporters and club officials at the Emirates Stadium. Some even suggest he could be used as trade bait in a potential transfer.

A shared interest but persistent obstacles

According to *FourFourTwo*, Julian Alvarez has long favored a move to FC Barcelona. However, the Catalan club is hesitant to pay a nine-figure sum, while Atletico Madrid would prefer to see him return to the Premier League, where he won a treble with Manchester City. These conditions are slowing discussions with Arsenal. Spanish weekly *El Desmarque* reports that Arteta may have played his "last card" by calling the 26-year-old directly to outline his vision. Julian Alvarez reportedly reaffirmed his desire to join Barcelona. Atletico Madrid’s sporting director, Miguel Angel Gil Marin, is said to have rejected a €150 million offer from rivals Real Madrid.

Alternative options explored in parallel

Arsenal is now eyeing more realistic targets like Victor Osimhen or Kenan Yildiz in the final weeks of the transfer window. The Turkish daily *Gazete Pencere* reports that the Nigerian striker reportedly responded with *"We’ll see"* when asked about a possible departure from Turkey. He has also drawn interest from the Saudi Pro League. James McNicholas of the *Daily Mail* notes that the Gunners are waiting to see if Yildiz becomes available. Viktor Gyokeres is also on the radar of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, which could allow Arsenal to secure a profit after just one season with the Swede. Meanwhile, Victor Osimhen remains an offensive option for the London club. With plans to part ways with Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli this summer—while hoping to sell Ethan Nwaneri for a net profit—Arsenal has financial leeway for a major signing. However, few high-profile wingers remain linked to the Gunners. Notably, Gabriel Martinelli wasn’t even named on the bench during last Sunday’s Community Shield, signaling he’s not in Mikel Arteta’s immediate plans. Julian Alvarez, meanwhile, is valued at €120 million according to Transfermarkt. Arsenal kicks off the Premier League season against Coventry City.