Atletico explore Alvarez-Arsenal swap proposal amid confirmed desire to leave

Atletico Madrid propose £64m Arsenal star in swap deal for Julian Alvarez

Julian Alvarez has made it clear he wants to leave Atletico Madrid this summer (Getty) 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 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. Don't miss a World Cup moment (Picture: Getty) We're witnessing history at this World Cup – our daily newsletter helps you make the most of it. Sign up. According to Spanish radio station COPE, Atletico are refusing to negotiate a deal with Barcelona and are instead attempting to working with Arsenal over a deal for Alvarez. Viktor Gyokeres is with Sweden’s squad for their World Cup campain (Getty) 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. Viktor Gyokeres scored 21 goals in his first season at Arsenal (Getty) 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.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source

11 hours ago

Arsenal target Julian Alvarez drops transfer bombshell at World Cup

Julian Alvarez wants to make a move this summer (Picture: Getty Images) Julian Alvarez has stated that he wants to leave Atletico Madrid, saying he wants to fulfil his dream elsewhere. The Argentina international has been linked with a string of the biggest clubs in the world, with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal all keen on signing him. The 26-year-old scored 20 goals in all competitions for Atletico last season after 29 in the previous campaign. His form since moving to Spain since leaving Manchester City has attracted heavyweight interest, with Real Madrid making a €150 million (£129.4m) bid for him earlier this month. Don't miss a World Cup moment Lionel Messi’s hat-trick. Cape Verde’s heroics. Those Scottish fans. It’s been a memorable World Cup so far – our daily newsletter helps you make the most of it. Sign up. Atletico have insisted that if anyone wants to buy Alvarez they will have to pay his whopping release clause of €500m (£431m). Alvarez has now confirmed that he does want to leave, presumably hoping to encourage his club to accept a lower bid than that. Asked about interest in him, the forward told ESPN: ‘Honestly, I don’t know. Alvarez spoke out moments after Argentina beat Austria (Picture: Getty Images) ‘I don’t think it’s the right time to talk about this, but I can’t hide or pretend otherwise either. I try to be an honest person. I spoke with the people at the club I needed to speak with. ‘The best thing for everyone is a transfer. I want to fulfil my dream.’ No club is going to meet Atletico’s demand and pay £431m for the Argentine, so negotiations will have to take place between his current club and Alvarez’s suitors. The forward is believed to be pushing for a move to Barcelona, but Atletico do not want to sell their star forward to their rivals. Reports of a 90m euros (£77.9m) approach for Alvarez was mocked by Atletico in May, suggesting they were coming up with a unique bid for Lamine Yamal. HERE WE GO! Hemos enviado un fax al @FCBarcelona_es con nuestra oferta de traspaso: 4 entradas para el concierto de Bad Bunny de mañana, una suscripción anual al ABC y una bolsa de pipas. Esperamos ansiosos la respuesta para preparar el ‘announce’. pic.twitter.com/e0J7mPljHa— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) May 29, 2026 Atletico tweeted: ‘HERE WE GO! We have sent a fax to @FCBarcelona_eswith our transfer offer: 4 tickets for tomorrow’s Bad Bunny concert, an annual subscription to ABC, and a bag of sunflower seeds. We eagerly await the response to prepare the ‘announce’. Alvarez has not started either of Argentina’s games so far at the World Cup, coming off the bench in the wins over Algeria and Austria. He will hope to get a run out in the starting XI in the final group stage game against Jordan on Sunday. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source

1 day ago