Viktor Gyokeres replacement? Arsenal make contact over move for £82m superstar

Arsenal are interested in signing Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez this summer.

Alvarez, 25, left Manchester City in a £82million in the summer of 2024, scoring 40 goals in 85 appearances in Spain.

Arsenal were credited with interest in the World Cup winner last summer before eventually shifting their focus to Viktor Gyokeres, signing the Sweden international from Sporting CP for £64million.

Gyokeres has so far struggled in the English top flight with five Premier League goals this season – just one from open play in his last 16 games.

While Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz also offer options up top, ESPN report the Gunners are now exploring the possibility of a sensational summer swoop for Alvarez.

Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta spent 12 years at Atletico and was the man who negotiated the deal that took Alvarez from City to Madrid. He retains strong links with the club and also has a close relationship with Alvarez’s agent Fernando Hidalgo.

The report suggests any move would require an offer in excess of €100million (£87m) to even tempt Atletico into doing business.

Arsenal are said to have made informal enquiries at this stage to determine whether a deal is possible and will decide whether to firm up that interest later in the year.

Arsenal are not alone in admiring Alvarez with Barcelona eager to keep him in La Liga. The Catalans’ fraught financial state however could place him out of their reach.

Chelsea have also been named as a club interested in signing the former River Plate youngster with reports in Spain this week claiming the striker is open to a return to the Premier League.

Asked about the speculation surrounding his future at Atletico last month, Alvarez said: ‘Look, it doesn’t bother me. I try not to pay much attention, but I know what’s being said.

‘It’s all over social media. I think it’s more what’s being said online than what’s actually happening.

‘I’m very focused on this season, on what lies ahead with Atletico Madrid. So, I try to tune it out and think about myself, about continuing to grow as a player, and about winning.’

Gyokeres has scored nine goals in all competitions this season including two in a week against formidable opposition in Chelsea and Inter Milan in the Carabao Cup and Champions League respectively.

But interest in another striker would suggest the club are considering bringing in an upgrade.