Arsenal appear to be fighting a losing battle to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, with the forward reportedly showing no indication he wants to return to the Premier League.
The Gunners' attempts to strengthen their forward line over the summer window have thus far ended in frustration. Morgan Rogers had been earmarked as their No.1 target, but the Premier League champions were unwilling to meet Aston Villa's valuation, which contributed to the England international joining Chelsea. Arsenal subsequently turned their attention to launching an ambitious bid for Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior, but that too ended in failure when the player committed his future to the Spanish giants and signed a new contract.
Alvarez's Barcelona dream and Atletico's stance
Mikel Arteta opted against entering the running to sign Liverpool-bound Bradley Barcola and instead sanctioned the pursuit of the unsettled Alvarez. The Argentina international, however, has his heart set on a move to Barcelona, but his current employers are adamant he will not be allowed to join their La Liga rivals amid a toxic row between both clubs.
Having publicly declared it his dream to join Barcelona, Alvarez was left in no doubt as to his standing with Atletico's fans last weekend when he was jeered before, during and after a home draw against Villarreal. The 26-year-old has subsequently missed training all week and has, according to reports in Spain, been given until Sunday to decide whether or not he views Arsenal, who are willing to pay whatever it takes, as a viable option.
Ornstein's assessment on the transfer
According to The Athletic's David Ornstein, Alvarez has given no indication at all that he wants to return to the Premier League despite holding talks with Mikel Arteta. 'At the time of reporting, there is a low chance that Julian Alvarez comes to Arsenal,' he told TNT Sport. 'Atletico Madrid would do a deal with Arsenal. Arsenal are prepared to reach a club-to-club agreement, but they would want the player to want to join them. Alvarez has shown no indication of wanting to join at this point. He's spoken to Mikel Arteta and said that he doesn't want to come. That could change, these situations are always movable, so I don't want to say it won't happen, but right now, it's not developing.'
Arsenal's need for a top-level forward was highlighted during last season's Champions League final defeat, when they struggled to offer an attacking threat against PSG and attempted to cling on to the early lead given to them by Kai Havertz. Thus far, only Christos Tzolis has arrived to enhance an attack that has lost Leandro Trossard and will lose Gabriel Martinelli.
Concerns over Arsenal's attacking depth
After being handed a tough-looking Champions League group stage draw, which includes games against the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard fears Arsenal are again short in a key area. He told TNT Sports: 'They fell short last year and I think that position and that quality could be the difference when you get to that real latter stage in the semi-finals and final when you need that person to step up and score that goal.'
Ornstein agreed with Gerrard, adding: 'They need a world class attacker, we spoke pitchside after the Champions League final in Budapest. That was the only position that top end of the pitch that Arsenal had to upgrade in. Tzolis, with total respect, that looks a really good signing but that was to replace Trossard. I still think they're lacking that really top level attacker, and that's why maybe they were so keen on Vinicius Junior.'
