'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='prefix__paint0_linear_4737_37157'%20x1='3.018'%20y1='23.6'%20x2='44.925'%20y2='24.977'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%231CB7FF'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='.502'%20stop-color='%232FF58B'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Atletico Madrid target Arsenal star to replace Julian Alvarez
Aug 28 2026 10:49 · By Callum McAvoy · 2 Reads
Julian Alvarez is now open to moving to Arsenal (Photo: Getty)
Atletico Madrid have reportedly approached Arsenal for one of their forwards as the Julian Alvarez transfer saga takes another huge twist.
It is no secret that Mikel Arteta wants to add more firepower to his squad, with Alvarez his No.1 target after failed moves for Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Junior.
The transfer is proving to be very tricky to pull off however, with Atletico demanding a fee of €150million (£128m) for their star player.
Moreover, Alvarez has thus far shown a reluctance to move to Arsenal, with his preferred destination being Barcelona, but Atletico have made it clear they will not sell to their La Liga rivals.
The Madrid club’s stance has been to keep hold of the 26-year-old, but events over the last week appear to have changed that.
Alvarez was loudly jeered and booed by Atletico supporters during the draw with Villarreal last weekend and made a hasty exit from the stadium at full-time.
The Argentina international has not reported for training for the past few days, citing illness, and reports suggest he is now open to joining the Gunners as it presents his only chance of leaving Madrid.
Arsenal are trying to sell Gabriel Jesus before deadline day (Photo: Getty)
As a result, Spanish outlet Fichajes report that Atletico are now preparing for life without Alvarez and have identified two possible replacements: Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus and Igor Jesus of Nottingham Forest.
Gabriel Jesus has been told he is free to leave the Emirates this summer, with Napoli holding talks over a transfer, but thus far he has shown a reluctance to move away.
Arteta recently revealed that the 29-year-old was training away from Arsenal’s first-team due to ‘the numbers in the squad’
Nottingham Forest could be open to selling Igor Jesus after signing Liam Delap (Photo: Getty)
Fellow Brazilian Igor Jesus only moved to the City Ground last summer, scoring 16 goals in 52 appearances across all competitions in his debut season.