'In recent hours': Man City now want to sign 20-goal Arsenal target
Manchester City have joined Arsenal in the race to sign Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez before the transfer deadline, according to Marca.
The Argentina international is eager to pursue a bigger challenge away from Atletico, and he has a clear-cut desire to join Barcelona in the near future.
However, Atletico have made it clear there is no room for negotiations with the Blaugrana.
Arsenal are trying to persuade Alvarez to return to England, and Marca now claim that his former club Man City have joined the pursuit ‘in recent hours’.
The World Cup winner left Man City for Atletico two seasons ago after struggling to nail down a centre-forward position due to Erling Haaland’s presence.
After recent departures of Savio and Omar Marmoush, Man City are now exploring a loan move for him.
Neither Arsenal nor Man City has made an official offer, given Alvarez’s reluctance to return to England.
Marca specifically add that Atletico would want at least £128.4 million to part ways with Alvarez, who netted 20 goals in all competitions for them last season.
A guaranteed replacement such as Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres could help lower the final figure.
Arsenal should have the upper hand over Man City in Alvarez’s pursuit
Alvarez has yet to give the green light for a Premier League return, given residency concerns for his family in the UK compared to Spain, where he can secure a permit with his Italian citizenship.
This was primarily a big factor behind his decision to leave the Cityzens for Atletico. The attacker now faces a major decision in his career. He either needs to continue at Atletico or move to England.
Man City have come forward to challenge the Gunners, but they may struggle to convince him. Alvarez is at his best as a number nine, and Haaland is an undisputed starter upfront for the Cityzens.
The Argentine had to operate as an attacking midfielder or a second striker on many occasions when they played together at Man City, and he may not be tempted to accept a similar starting position.
On the other hand, he could be guaranteed the number nine role at Arsenal. Kai Havertz may have started brightly upfront this term, but Alvarez could walk straight into the XI as the first-choice striker.
His arrival would most certainly mean Gyokeres could be sold before the deadline. With Atletico wanting a quality replacement, the Swede could be used as a makeweight to significantly lower the transfer fee.
Hence, Arsenal should have a clear advantage over the Cityzens. They are prepared to sign Alvarez permanently, unlike Man City, who are eyeing a loan.
The Gunners would also offer Atletico an immediate replacement in the form of Gyokeres.
The big question remains whether Alvarez will change his transfer stance and open the door for a Premier League switch before Tuesday’s 11pm BST deadline.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
The post 'In recent hours': Man City now want to sign 20-goal Arsenal target first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.
