Arsenal have made clear their desire to acquire Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, but they will have to contend with rivals Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, according to Atletico boss Diego Simeone. Simeone confirmed the chatter during his pre‑match press conference ahead of the first leg of the Champions League semi‑final, which will be played at the Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday. When asked whether he had any insight into Alvarez's thoughts on the rumored move, the Argentine manager replied, "I'm not inside Julian Alvarez's head," before adding that it was only natural for a player of Alvarez's calibre to attract interest from top clubs. "An extraordinary player like Julian Alvarez will inevitably be wanted by Arsenal, Paris Saint‑Germain, Barcelona – it's normal because he's very good," he said.
Alvarez has been a key figure for Atletico since his £82 million transfer from Manchester City, where he helped the English side secure back‑to‑back Premier League crowns and a historic treble in the 2022/23 season. In Spain, the 26‑year‑old Argentine has found the net 48 times in 104 appearances, establishing himself as one of the most lethal forwards in European football. His performances have not gone unnoticed by Arsenal's sporting director Andrea Berta, who was instrumental in bringing Alvarez to Atletico from the Etihad Stadium.
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 has kept him out of Atletico's two most recent fixtures, Simeone expects him to be fit for the crucial showdown with the Gunners. Arsenal, meanwhile, have bolstered their attacking options this summer by signing Viktor Gyokeres, the former Sporting Lisbon striker who arrived as the club's leading scorer with 18 league goals before a knee injury forced his replacement by Kai Havertz.
Despite that setback, the North London side remain determined to strengthen their roster in the upcoming transfer window, targeting a forward, a central midfielder and a full‑back. Atletico, however, are reluctant to part with their Argentine star. Even if Alvarez were to request a move, the club have placed a valuation of around £130 million on him.
Simeone stressed that the player's immediate focus is on securing the Champions League trophy for Atletico and then turning his attention to the next World Cup campaign with Argentina. Sources close to the player suggest that, should a transfer materialise, Alvarez might favour a switch to Barcelona, although other insiders in Spain question whether he has any firm preference, given the slim odds of a summer departure.
Both clubs are aware that the semi‑final represents a historic opportunity for Atletico, who are aiming to win the competition for the first time in their history. This will be their fourth semi‑final appearance under Simeone, a testament to his longevity and tactical acumen.
Simeone reflected on the significance of reaching this stage again after a nine‑year gap, noting, "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. That really is wonderful, it's incredible. The faith and excitement that our people transmit to us will do us a lot of good." He dismissed any sense of pressure, describing the situation as exhilarating.
"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," the manager said. The two sides have already met in the competition earlier this season, when Arsenal thumped Atletico 4‑0 at the Emirates Stadium during the group stage in October.
Simeone remains wary of Arsenal's proficiency from dead‑ball situations, a factor he highlighted in his remarks. "We are going to face a tough game with a very good opponent and with a set‑piece strategy that is very well worked. Let's go with all the excitement," he added.
The Atletico captain, Koke, whose contract expires at the end of the campaign, echoed the manager's enthusiasm. "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," he said.
Both clubs understand the magnitude of the occasion. For Arsenal, securing a place in the final would reaffirm their resurgence under their current leadership, while for Atletico, a victory would cement Simeone's legacy with the club's first European crown. As the teams prepare for the decisive encounter, fans can expect a tactical battle, with Arsenal likely to deploy their newly acquired attacking talent alongside seasoned veterans, and Atletico relying on the experience of players like Alvarez and Koke to navigate the high‑stakes environment.
Regardless of the transfer saga, the immediate focus for both sides remains the semi‑final tie, where every detail – from set‑piece routines to individual brilliance – could tip the balance. The match promises to be a showcase of elite football, with the added intrigue of potential summer moves adding an extra layer of narrative to an already compelling contest.