Arsenal are interested in Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez but face competition to sign him from Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, according to Diego Simeone.
The Atletico Madrid manager confirmed the interest at his press conference before the two sides meet in Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg at Metropolitano Stadium.
“I’m not inside Julian Alvarez’s head,” he said when asked about reports linking him with the Gunners.
“It’s normal that an extraordinary player like Julian Alvarez is wanted by Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona.
“It’s normal because he’s very good.”
Alvarez has scored 48 goals in 104 games for Atletico Madrid since his £82m move from Manchester City, where he won back-to-back Premier League titles and was part of the 2022/23 treble.
The 26-year-old is known to Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta, who oversaw his move to Atletico from the Etihad Stadium.
Alvarez, who also won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, has sat out of Atletico’s last two games due to a minor injury but is expected to feature against Arsenal.
The Gunners added Viktor Gyokeres to their front line last summer but the former Sporting striker, their top scorer this season with 18 goals, was dropped in favour of Kai Havertz before the Germany international picked up an injury against Newcastle.
Sky Sports News understands Arsenal plan to be active in the summer transfer market and intend to add a forward, a central midfielder and a full-back.
Atletico’s asking price for Alvarez revealed
Atletico do not want to sell the Argentina international and – even if he asked to leave – they value him at £130m.
Alvarez is focused on winning the Champions League with Atletico and then the World Cup with his country.
Julian Alvarez in action against Barcelona
A source close to the situation has indicated Alvarez’s preference, if he were to leave Atletico, would be joining Barcelona.
However, other sources in Spain have cast doubt on whether he has a preference at all given the unlikelihood of a transfer this summer.
Simeone aiming to make history
Like Arsenal, Atletico head into Wednesday’s game hoping to win the Champions League for the first time in their history. This is their fourth semi-final appearance under Simeone.
“It’s extraordinary that Atletico Madrid is in a Champions League semi-final again after nine years, and after doing it for the fourth time in 14 years, if I’m not mistaken,” he said.
Atletico Madrid beat Spurs and Barcelona on their way to the last four
“That really is wonderful, it’s incredible. And I think that faith, the excitement, the contagiousness that our people transmit to us will do us a lot of good.
“In terms of pressure, I don’t feel the pressure. It is exciting to be as close as we are. 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 were beaten 4-0 by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium during the league phase in October and Simeone is wary of their dead-ball threat in particular.
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Eberechi Eze appears to have shaken off any injury doubts from the weekend
“We are going to face a tough game with a very good opponent and with a set-piece strategy that is very well worked,” he said. “Let’s go with all the excitement.
“I don’t think football owes anyone anything. Things are deserved and achieved and for that you have to work and seek them, and obviously have luck behind you too.”
Atletico captain Koke, whose contract is due to expire at the end of the season, also expressed his excitement at the challenge ahead against Arsenal.
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’s all gone, it’s just a football game, and you are as excited as you would be for any semi-final.
“We expect a very strong Arsenal side. This is a Champions League semi-final and that is how we approach it.”
