Arsenal have signaled a strong desire to acquire Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, yet they will have to contend with interest from Paris Saint‑Germain and Barcelona, according to Atletico boss Diego Simeone. The Argentine forward’s name surfaced during Simeone's pre‑match press conference ahead of the Champions League semi‑final first leg at the Metropolitano, where his side will host the London club. When asked whether he knew what Alvarez was thinking about the reported links to the Gunners, Simeone replied, "I’m not inside Julian Alvarez's head," before adding that it was perfectly natural for a player of Alvarez's calibre to attract attention from several elite clubs. "An extraordinary player like Julian Alvarez will inevitably be wanted by Arsenal, PSG, Barcelona – it’s only logical because he is that good," the manager explained.
Alvarez arrived in Madrid for a reported £82 million fee from Manchester City, where he had enjoyed back‑to‑back Premier League triumphs and a historic treble in the 2022/23 season. Since joining Atletico, the 26‑year‑old Argentine has found the net 48 times in 104 appearances, establishing himself as a key component of Simeone's attacking set‑up. His performances have not gone unnoticed by Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta, the same executive who oversaw Alvarez's move from the Etihad Stadium to the Spanish capital.
The forward also boasts a World Cup winner's medal, having been part of Argentina’s victorious squad in Qatar 2022. Although a minor injury kept him out of Atletico’s two most recent fixtures, the club expects him to be fit for the semi‑final clash against Arsenal. Arsenal, meanwhile, have bolstered their frontline this summer by signing Viktor Gyokeres, the former Sporting Lisbon striker who finished the season as their top scorer with 18 goals. Gyokeres was later replaced by Kai Havertz after the German international suffered an injury in the match against Newcastle, leaving the Gunners with several options up front as they look to reinforce the squad in the upcoming transfer window.
Sources close to the club suggest that Arsenal intend to be active in the summer market, targeting a forward, a central midfielder and a full‑back to add depth and quality. Atletico, however, have made it clear they are not prepared to let the Argentine go cheaply.
Even if Alvarez were to submit a transfer request, the Spanish side have placed a valuation of around £130 million on him. Simeone emphasized that the player's immediate focus remains on winning the Champions League with Atletico and then turning his attention to the next World Cup campaign with Argentina.
A source close to Alvarez indicated that, should he decide to leave Spain, his preferred destination would be Barcelona, though other insiders in the country have cast doubt on any definitive preference, noting the slim odds of a summer move. Both clubs enter Wednesday’s semi‑final with high stakes.
For Atletico, it represents a chance to finally capture the Champions League trophy – a prize that has eluded them despite four semi‑final appearances under Simeone in the past 14 years. "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," Simeone said, expressing pride and excitement. He added that the belief and energy from the supporters would be a vital boost for the team.
Simeone dismissed any notion of pressure, describing the situation as "exciting" rather than burdensome. He highlighted the importance of leadership in such high‑profile games and urged his squad to be ready to exploit any weaknesses in the opposition.
"We will have a very tough game against a fantastic rival and we are very excited about it," he said, acknowledging Arsenal’s set‑piece threat, which had proven decisive when Atletico suffered a 4‑0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium during the league phase in October. The Argentine captain Koke, whose contract expires at the end of the season, echoed the manager’s enthusiasm. He likened the anticipation before a semi‑final to the flutter of a first date, noting that nerves usually settle once the warm‑up begins.
"We expect a very strong Arsenal side. This is a Champions League semi‑final and that is how we approach it," Koke affirmed.
In summary, Julian Alvarez remains a highly coveted asset in European football. Arsenal’s interest is genuine, but they must navigate competition from PSG and Barcelona, while Atletico Madrid are prepared to defend their valuation and keep the player focused on the immediate goal of Champions League glory. The upcoming semi‑final will not only test the tactical acumen of both managers but also potentially shape the future transfer landscape for one of the game’s most promising forwards.