Arsenal are in a three-way fight to sign Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, head coach Diego Simeone has confirmed on the eve of their Champions League semi-final. The 26-year-old former Manchester City striker has scored 20 goals in 52 appearances for Atleti this season and is also wanted by Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.
Simeone's Comments on Transfer Interest
When asked about Arsenal's possible interest in Alvarez, Simeone replied: "I am not in Julian Alvarez's head. I just suppose it is normal. He is an extraordinary player. There is interest from Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and other teams. But it is nothing we are concerned about."
Alvarez is due to line up against the Gunners in the opening leg of the last-four clash at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Wednesday.
Arsenal's Striker Situation
Arsenal signed Viktor Gyokeres for £64 million last summer, and despite hitting 18 goals in his debut campaign, he has struggled for consistency. Gyokeres was benched for Arsenal's top-of-the-table clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium earlier this month, and again in their following fixture at home to Newcastle last weekend.
However, Kai Havertz picked up an injury in the opening half of Arsenal's win, and he did not train at London Colney on Tuesday, meaning Gyokeres will likely start in Madrid. Eberechi Eze was also unable to continue against Newcastle, but in a boost to Mikel Arteta, he did join his team-mates for training.
Champions League Semi-Final Context
After seeing off Tottenham in the round of 16, Atletico beat Barcelona to secure their place in the semi-finals. But Simeone's side have lost six of their last nine games. Like Arsenal, Atletico have never won the Champions League.
Simeone continued: "In terms of pressure, I don't feel the pressure and it is exciting to be as close as we are and we have never achieved it before. It is a special excitement. Leadership defines these games and we need to be ready and take the game to where we believe we can punish them. We will have a very tough game, against a fantastic rival and we are very excited about it."
Atletico captain Koke, whose contract expires at the end of the season, is set for his fourth and possibly last Champions League semi-final with the Spanish club. He said: "In the lead-up to these games, we are always excited. We feel butterflies in our stomach. It is just like a first date. Then once you start warming up it is all gone, it is just a football game, and you would be as excited as you would be for any semi-final. We expect a very strong Arsenal side and this is a Champions League semi-final and that is how we approach it."
