Arsenal’s pursuit of a genuine world-class striker takes a significant new turn this summer as Julian Alvarez emerges as the club’s primary transfer target.
The Gunners won the Premier League last season, but concerns over Viktor Gyokeres’ overall contribution have prompted sporting director Andrea Berta to explore alternatives up front.
BBC journalist Sami Mokbel told the Latte Firm Arsenal podcast that the club’s interest in Alvarez is serious and long-standing in nature.
“Arsenal have a long-term interest in Julian Alvarez and that’s a deal they would love to do, it would be a dream acquisition for Arteta and Berta,” Mokbel said.
Mokbel also made clear what such a deal would mean for Gyokeres, adding: “If there’s any way Arsenal would deem that possible this summer, that would leave a question over Gyokeres.”
Real Madrid recently submitted a £130m bid to sign Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, but the Spanish club rejected the offer outright, refusing to sell to a domestic rival.
That stance could open the door for Arsenal and other Premier League clubs to pursue the Argentine forward without facing the same resistance from Atleti.
Alvarez scored 29 goals for Atletico Madrid in 2024/25 and added a further 20 in 2025/26, demonstrating remarkable consistency since leaving Manchester City.
Fellow Argentine journalist Roy Nemer described Alvarez as “the best centre forward in the world” during his debut season at Atletico, underlining just how highly regarded he is globally.
Gyokeres finished as Arsenal’s top scorer last season with 21 goals across all competitions, a solid return by most measures but one that has not fully convinced Arteta and the coaching staff.
The Swede’s limitations in general play have become an increasing concern, particularly his dribbling output of just 0.04 productive dribbles per 90 minutes in 2025/26.
By comparison, Alvarez completed 0.43 productive dribbles and 1.23 successful dribbles per 90 minutes, illustrating the stark difference in ball-carrying ability between the two strikers.
Alvarez also recorded 4.54 progressive actions per 90 minutes compared to Gyokeres’ 2.02, further highlighting the Argentine’s superior contribution to build-up play.
Gyokeres ranks in the worst 20% of European strikers for expected threat in build-up phases, while Alvarez sits inside the top 9% of positionally similar players across the continent.
Arsenal have also been linked with Bournemouth teenager Eli Junior Kroupi, who scored 13 Premier League goals in his debut season, a record for any teenager in the competition’s history.
However, Bournemouth’s £80m to £100m asking price for Kroupi gives Arsenal pause, given the 26-year-old Alvarez represents a far more proven option at the highest level.
Kai Havertz has often been preferred in the biggest matches, starting the Carabao Cup final and the Champions League final, where he also scored, suggesting Arteta values a different striker profile.
Argentine journalist Pablo Gonzalez described Alvarez as a “monster,” a label that captures both his finishing instincts and his wider creative influence on those around him.
Arsenal are reportedly already in talks with Alvarez’s camp, and while shifting Gyokeres after just one season would be a bold move, the club’s ambition points firmly toward landing their dream striker.