Arsenal could be about to make their most jaw-dropping late window signing since Mesut Ozil
On deadline day of the 2013 summer window, Arsenal announced the signing of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid for £42.5million.
That signing broke the club’s transfer record at the time, and is, to this day, arguably their biggest ever signing.
Nobody saw it coming. Well, apart from Arsene Wenger, whose iconic grin a couple of days before hinted that they were about to do a madness in the window.
To bring in a genuine world-class star of elite quality from Real Madrid was quite the statement at the time. It felt unlike anything the club had made in years.
Now, as we head into the final week of the window, Arsenal could be about to do something that replicates that sort of energy.
With Gabriel Martinelli heading toward the exit door, Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, and Reiss Nelson on the move, and even Viktor Gyokeres potentially sacrificed if a trade or Barcelona intervention materialises, Arsenal are positioning themselves for one final, jaw-dropping attacking splash: Julian Alvarez.
Julian Alvarez would be Arsenal’s biggest signing since Mesut Ozil
Atletico Madrid executives have met face-to-face with Arsenal and named their price: £128million.
While the 26-year-old World Cup winner would prefer staying in Spain with Barcelona, Atletico are adamant they won’t sell to their La Liga rivals.
After being booed by his own supporters over the weekend, Alvarez’s position at the Metropolitano has become untenable.
Arsenal are sitting on red alert, and are reportedly prepared to meet the £128million figure if the Argentine green-lights a return to England.
The question is whether the player himself can be convinced.
And then, of course, there is the debate about whether Arsenal truly need Alvarez given the outlay it would take.
But look at the market. Savinho costing £85million — £42.5million for every Premier League goal he has scored. Morgan Rogers for £117million. Elliot Anderson for £116million. You cannot credibly argue Alvarez isn’t in that bracket, and he is a forward who typically commands more.
What makes him so compelling for Arsenal specifically is his versatility. He can play as a centre-forward, a second striker, a number ten, or drift off the left flank.
He impressed Mikel Arteta first-hand in the Champions League semi-finals, and managers have a habit of signing players who impress them in big European games.
Arsenal have approached this summer in ‘win-now’ mode, bringing in experienced players in Ezri Konsa and Bruno Guimaraes, targeting Vinicius Jr, and now Alvarez. There is risk in that approach.
But the reward is a squad genuinely capable of winning the Champions League. And that is the prize Arteta is building towards.
