£130m star who turned down Arsenal is now open to joining in the next week

Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez is now open to joining Arsenal ahead of the September 1st transfer deadline, having been in regular contact with Mikel Arteta.

Arteta’s side kicked their Premier League campaign off with a 3-0 victory against newly-promoted Coventry City on Friday night, with Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard getting on the scoresheet.

After the game, Gary Neville suggested the Gunners would be able to take the next step and win the Champions League if they sign Alvarez, who the Sky Sports pundit described as a “world-class” striker.

The Argentinian is already well-established in Europe’s elite competition, finishing as one of the Champions League’s top scorers last season, although his side were knocked out by Arsenal in the semi-final, as a result of a 2-1 defeat on aggregate.

Moreover, the 26-year-old has already proven himself in the Premier League, picking up 20 goals and 11 assists in 67 matches in the competition during his time with Manchester City.

Of course, Arteta is already well-stocked at centre-forward, with Havertz scoring against Coventry on the opening day, while Viktor Gyokeres chipped in with a respectable 14 goals during his debut Premier League campaign.

However, the Atletico Madrid striker’s exploits in the Champions League suggest he may be able to take the Gunners to the next level, and they have now received a boost in their pursuit.

Julian Alvarez now open to joining Arsenal

REUTERS/ Maurice Van Steen

According to a report from AS (via Sport Witness), Alvarez said ‘no’ to joining Arsenal earlier this summer, having set his sights on a move to Barcelona.

However, in a fresh twist, the Argentina international is now open to a move to the Emirates Stadium, with Andrea Berta and Arteta engaging in regular talks to try and lure him to north London.

The centre-forward is enticed by Arteta’s project, but the Gunners may need to break the bank to get a deal over the line, with the Spanish side holding out for £130m.

Should the north Londoners shell out the full asking price, the former Man City man would overtake Alexander Isak and become the most expensive signing in Premier League history, with the striker joining Liverpool from Newcastle United for £125m last summer.

Arsenal’s own record signing is Declan Rice, who joined from West Ham United for £105m in the summer of 2023.