Arsenal news: Julian Alvarez transfer timeline emerges as deal agreed for forward

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Arsenal’s transfer business is finally beginning to gather pace after a sluggish start to the summer window. Fresh from ending their 22-year wait for a Premier League title, Mikel Arteta ’s side have already strengthened with two new arrivals.

Defender Piero Hincapie has completed a permanent £34.5million move from Bayer Leverkusen, while former Leeds United shot-stopper Ilan Meslier has joined on a free to bolster options in the goalkeeping department. But sporting director Andrea Berta is still determined to land a marquee signing as the Gunners look to retain their title and challenge for major honours on multiple fronts.

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Arsenal have been linked with a string of elite names in recent weeks, including Morgan Rogers, Bruno Guimaraes and Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr. With Berta reportedly handed a transfer budget of around £250m , supporters are expecting several big moves before the deadline.

Mirror Sport takes a look at the latest transfer talking points from the Emirates Stadium

England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday evening is likely to have added significance for Arsenal’s hierarchy. One of the players expected to be on show is Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez , who has emerged as one of the Gunners’ top attacking targets.

However, Arsenal may have to remain patient if they want to land the Argentine international – unless the Three Lions come out on top in Atalanta. According to Argentine newspaper La Nacion , Alvarez has no intention of deciding on his club future until after the World Cup has concluded, with the 26-year-old fully focused on representing his country.

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The report claims Arsenal will step up their interest once the tournament finishes, when Alvarez will be “free to focus fully on his club future”. That could leave the Gunners facing a tight timeframe, with this summer’s expanded World Cup not wrapping up until July 19.

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Barcelona reportedly remain Alvarez’s preferred destination, although the La Liga champions are struggling to agree a financial package with Atletico Madrid, who point to his whopping €500m (£426m) release clause. Argentine outlet Clarin Deportivo says Arsenal are “following every movement” and will advertise themselves as a serious alternative should Barcelona fail to agree a deal.

Leandro Trossard became a cult hero among the Gunners faithful during last season’s title-winning campaign, memorably scoring a crucial late winner against West Ham United in May. But the Belgian is set to bring his three-and-a-half-year spell in north London to an end this summer after Arsenal agreed a deal with Besiktas for the forward.

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The 31-year-old has been granted permission to travel to Istanbul and complete a medical with the Turkish club ahead of a £17m move. Trossard departs having scored 36 goals in 174 appearances since joining from Brighton in January 2023.

His exit is expected to create room for Arsenal to recruit a new left-sided attacker, with Rogers and Paris Saint-Germain star Bradley Barcola among the names linked.

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