Atletico Madrid are exploring a possible swap deal with Arsenal involving Julian Alvarez and Viktor Gyokeres, according to reports in Spain. Barcelona have already seen their €100 million (£86.2m) offer for Alvarez rejected by Atletico Madrid, while Real Madrid claimed earlier this month that their €150m (£129.4m) bid was also turned down.
Alvarez pushes for exit
Alvarez is now attempting to force Atletico’s hand after he admitted on Monday night that he wants to leave Diego Simeone’s side before the end of the transfer window. ‘I spoke with the people I needed to speak with and the best thing for everyone is a transfer. I want to fulfil my dream,’ Alvarez said after Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria.
Atletico's proposal to Arsenal
According to Spanish radio station COPE, Atletico are refusing to negotiate a deal with Barcelona and are instead attempting to work with Arsenal over a deal for Alvarez. The report claims that Atletico’s proposal would see Alvarez join Mikel Arteta’s side in exchange for €60m (£51.7m) plus Gyokeres. Atletico are said to view Gyokeres as a ‘pure and simple centre-forward’ who would be a better fit for Simeone’s side, while the Sweden international’s arrival would also pave the way for Alexander Sorloth’s exit, as the Norway striker is wanted by Juventus and Napoli.
Arsenal signed Gyokeres in a £64m deal from Sporting CP last summer and the 28-year-old scored 21 goals in his first season with Arteta’s side as they won the Premier League and reached the Champions League final.
Owen's criticism of Gyokeres
Speaking last month, Michael Owen claimed that Arsenal would not be entirely happy with Gyokeres’ contribution and backed the Gunners to sign a world-class striker this summer. ‘Arsenal would love to find another centre-forward – they’re not happy with Gyokeres really. They’re not happy with a couple of positions,’ Owen said. ‘If someone comes available that’s top, if a Thierry Henry becomes available again, they’d move heaven and earth to get somebody like that in. That might change the dynamic of things as well. Okay, they’re not the greatest of watches, granted, I’d say that, but that’s not to say they’ll be like that forever. They might evolve, they might get better. They’ve got to be careful, like a Liverpool, spending £400 million over a summer trying to be even better again, and they ruin what they’ve got. That’s the risk, that’s the management, that’s the next stage.’
