Arsenal are still searching for another attacking option before the transfer window closes, despite already completing several major deals. Illan Meslier has arrived from Leeds on a free transfer, while Christos Tzolis joined from Club Brugge for £34.12m and Bruno Guimaraes moved from Newcastle for £75m.
The Gunners have also made Piero Hincapie’s loan move from Bayer Leverkusen permanent in a deal worth £34.5m.
Tzolis was brought in following Leandro Trossard’s departure for Besiktas earlier in the summer, but manager Mikel Arteta remains keen to strengthen his attacking options with a left-sided or versatile forward.
Arsenal had previously shown strong interest in Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, but they were unwilling to match the £117m fee Chelsea eventually paid for the England international.
The north London club also saw another long-term target, Vinicius Junior, commit his future to Real Madrid after signing a new contract. As a result, Arsenal have been forced to explore alternative options, with Alvarez emerging as one of the most attractive possibilities.
Arteta Makes Another Approach for Alvarez
Transfer expert Ben Jacobs recently suggested that Alvarez could become a realistic target if Atletico Madrid were prepared to sell.
“Arsenal are now still going to add some form of either left-sided or versatile attacker,” Jacobs said.
“Not all the profiles are identical to Vinicius Junior, but Julian Alvarez is one possibility if Atleti decide to sell.
“We know they’d prefer to keep. Barcelona would love Julian Alvarez as well but Atleti may prefer, if they realise the player wants to leave, to sell outside of La Liga. So he’s a dream target.”
Jacobs also revealed that Arsenal have considered other attacking options, including Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye and Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola.
“Iliman Ndiaye has been discussed as well and there’ll be other options too. Some will say Bradley Barcola,” he added.
However, a move for Barcola would reportedly be complicated by Liverpool’s interest in the France international. Jacobs claimed Arsenal would need to make a significantly higher offer to have any chance of beating Liverpool to his signature.
“If Arsenal want Bradley Barcola their tactic has to be to gazump Liverpool, because the player wants Liverpool,” Jacobs said.
“But PSG want €170million – so Arsenal would have to overpay and hope that Liverpool back off. But he’s a possibility too.
“So Arsenal are still going to be busy between now and the end of the window.”
Alvarez Prefers Barcelona
Despite Arsenal’s interest, Spanish outlet El Desmarque now claims the Gunners are making a final attempt to convince Alvarez to move to England.
According to the report, Arteta has personally contacted the Argentina international again in an effort to persuade him to join Arsenal for the 2026/27 campaign.
The report states: “According to ElDesmarque, Mikel Arteta contacted Álvarez to express his desire for him to join Arsenal for the 2026/27 season. In recent days, the English manager called him again to try and convince him to sign for the London club. However, the Argentine made his position at Atlético Madrid clear, and also told Arteta that, if he were to leave, his priority would be to join Barcelona this summer.”
Alvarez is therefore reportedly unwilling to return to the Premier League at this stage, having previously played for Manchester City. Instead, the striker is said to be prioritising a move to Barcelona should he decide to leave Atletico Madrid.
The report claims Alvarez has effectively rejected Arsenal’s approach, leaving Arteta and the club facing another setback in their pursuit of a high-profile attacker.
Arsenal Turn to Osimhen as Plan B
With Alvarez seemingly favouring Barcelona, Arsenal could now activate an alternative plan before the transfer window closes.
The Gunners are reportedly considering a move for Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, who has remained one of the most prominent forwards available on the market.
Osimhen would represent a different attacking profile from some of Arsenal’s other targets and could provide Arteta with another proven goalscorer as the club prepares for the new season.
With time running out in the transfer window, Arsenal are expected to remain active as they look to complete one more major attacking signing. Alvarez may have chosen Barcelona as his preferred destination, but the Gunners appear determined to find a solution elsewhere rather than enter the new campaign without further attacking reinforcement.:::