Arsenal are prepared to break two transfer records to land their key target this summer transfer window. The Premier League champions have already spent nearly £200m this summer on Piero Hincapie, Illan Meslier, Christos Tzolis, Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa, but remain in the market for a world class attacking star, with former Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez firmly in their sights.
Mikel Arteta's men have started the season with a 3-0 victory over newly-promoted Coventry City in their opening Premier League fixture, following a 3-0 win against Manchester City in the Community Shield.
Julian Alvarez price tag
The Athletic reports Atletico Madrid would refuse to consider any bid below €150m (£128.3m) from Arsenal for their star striker. The Argentine has been on the Gunners' radar well before the summer transfer window, with the 26-year-old forward representing one of Arteta's primary targets, despite claims that he would prefer a move to Barcelona.
With Arsenal's hunt for a marquee striker ongoing and their chase of other prospects like Vinicius Junior having fallen through, speculation surrounding Alvarez has intensified. Yet Atletico's position has remained that their talisman is not available to buy.
Circumstances might differ regarding Arsenal though, considering the Spanish club are specifically declining to sell to direct competitors Real Madrid and Barcelona. Real Madrid revealed in June they had seen a £128m proposal turned down for Alvarez, though Atleti sources claimed they doubted the offer was a serious submission. The north Londoners have yet to submit a formal bid.
It would also need Arsenal to be able to balance the books with 25-year-old Brazil winger Gabriel Martinelli closing in on a £50m move to Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal, reports the Mirror. That would represent a record sale for the Gunners, eclipsing the £35m they received in 2017 when Liverpool signed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, with Martinelli's initial reluctance to go to Saudi having softened because it is clear he is no longer in Arteta's plans.
Alvarez faced jeers and whistles from his own fans during Atletico's draw with Villarreal on Sunday, before being instructed by a club official not to acknowledge supporters. The forward, who has scored 49 goals in 107 appearances for the club, appeared disheartened as he trudged down the tunnel unaccompanied amid the hostile reception.
Arsenal 'prepared to sell' Lewis-Skelly
Arsenal are said to be willing to part ways with Myles Lewis-Skelly should a club match their asking price for the teenager, which exceeds £50m. The 19-year-old academy product regained his spot in the starting XI during the latter stages of last season following growing doubts about his future, having dropped down the pecking order under Arteta for the left-back role.
Lewis-Skelly emerged as one of Arsenal's most impressive performers during pre-season and has featured from the start in both of their opening two official matches of the campaign, catching the eye in both triumphs. Following reports the Gunners had offered their promising youngster to rivals including Chelsea and Manchester United, plus the player's intriguing goal celebration earlier this month, Arteta appeared to quash exit rumours last week.
The manager responded "100%" when questioned about his confidence that Lewis-Skelly would stay at the club past the transfer deadline. However, The Sun now claim United retain hope that Arsenal might be convinced to offload the midfielder, whom the Red Devils envisage deploying as a left-back. Lewis-Skelly has not publicly commented on speculation regarding his future this summer, though he did express his desire to build a legacy in north London when penning fresh terms last year.
