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ALV A WORD THEN! Arsenal boss Arteta sets one condition for £130m Alvarez transfer as final window plans emerge
Aug 24 2026 18:49 · By John Cross,Chief Football Writer · 13 Reads
Mikel Arteta is ready to make a £130m push to sign Julian Alvarez - but will demand assurances the Argentina star wants to move to Arsenal.
Atletico Madrid have become embroiled in an ugly stand-off with Alvarez which has seen the club’s own fans turn on the 26-year-old. Alvarez has been pushing for a move to Barcelona but Atletico are refusing to entertain a deal with their La Liga rivals but may now be open to doing business with Arsenal.
The former Manchester City star was booed by Atletico fans during their draw with Villarreal last weekend and there may be no way back for Alvarez.
The World Cup star has previously insisted he only wants Barcelona and clearly Arsenal boss Arteta would need to be convinced the striker would be fully invested in a move to the Emirates.
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It would also need Arsenal to be able to balance the books with Brazil winger Gabriel Martinelli closing in on a £50m move to Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal.That would represent a record sale for the Gunners with Martinelli’s initial reluctance to go to Saudi having softened because it is clear that he is no longer central to Arteta’s plans.
Arsenal also want to sell Fabio Vieira with Hamburg pushing to get a deal done while Napoli have been interested in Gabriel Jesus but the biggest stumbling block has been the Brazilian’s wages.
Jesus has also wanted to stay in England but knows his chances at Arsenal will be limited.
It remains to be seen whether Arsenal would even entertain a deal involving Viktor Gyokeres with Atletico Madrid but the chances of signing Juventus star Kenan Yildiz appear remote as the winger needs knee surgery.
Arsenal have already spent big in this window with Christos Tzolis, Bruno Guimarães and Ezri Konsa so it may be a very real possibility they do not do more business even if they sell Martinelli.
They do have Eberechi Eze who can fill on the left flank and may bide their time but if there is a chance of Alvarez and he is willing to move then Arsenal are open.
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