£63.5m Arsenal star wants to play for Barcelona, Deco likes him - journalist
Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres could be an easier option to pursue for Barcelona if Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez joins the Gunners, according to El Chiringuito journalist Jose Alvarez.
The Premier League holders are long-term admirers of Alvarez, and they had a meeting with Atletico and the player’s camp over the last week.
Atletico are prepared to sell the 26-year-old to Arsenal for £128.3 million, but there is no indication that the Gunners will pay such a huge fee.
Meanwhile, Alvarez continues to hold out for Barcelona. As of now, Arsenal are waiting to see whether the Argentine changes his firm stance.
El Chiringuito TV’s Jose Alvarez has now revealed that Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez is the prime striker target for Barcelona.
If he can’t be signed, Gyokeres and Club Brugge’s Nicolo Tresoldi are the alternatives, and the former could be an easier option especially if Alvarez moves to Arsenal.
The journalist claims the Swede wants to play for Barcelona, and sporting director Deco also likes him.
Arsenal should resist Gyokeres sale before deadline
The Gunners are currently in the process of selling Gabriel Martinelli to Al-Hilal for a fee between £50 million and 55 million. Personal terms could be agreed soon.
This would provide a good financial boost as the club prepare to purchase a marquee forward before the transfer window formally closes on September 1.
Alvarez has emerged as the prime forward target for the Gunners. The World Cup winner has not been convinced to make the switch, but Arsenal remain hopeful to sign him.
If the 26-year-old opens the door for a late transfer, it could lead to questions surrounding the future of Gyokeres, who was an unused substitute against Coventry City in the Premier League curtain-raiser.
Gyokeres, signed for a £63.5 million package from Sporting CP, was left on the bench for the first time in a Premier League or Champions League game (when fit) under manager Mikel Arteta last week.
Kai Havertz played the entire 90 minutes up front against Coventry.
This has increased speculation regarding his future before the deadline, but we would personally prefer to keep the Swede in the squad irrespective of Arsenal’s ongoing Alvarez pursuit.
The former Sporting CP man may not provide the mobility of Havertz or Alvarez as a number nine, but he offers a different dimension with his physical presence and good finishing skills in the box.
He is more of a poacher when offered chances from close range. 14 of his 21 goals during his debut season came in the back end, which showed his progress at Arsenal after a slow start.
Gyokeres is a traditional number nine and should be kept by the hierarchy as a striking option this term.
Alvarez is more versatile and they could play together too. The Argentine could operate as a second striker or in the left-sided number 10 role based on his average position in La Liga last term.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com
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