Arsenal offered Julian Alvarez transfer hope as Atletico Madrid star casts doubt over future

Arsenal are showing interest in Atletico Madrid centre-forward Julian Alvarez, who struck twice against Tottenham in the Champions League on Tuesday evening at the Wanda Metropolitano

Arsenal target Julian Alvarez has opened the door to a potential summer transfer after refusing to provide assurances he'll be staying put at Atletico Madrid beyond the end of the season.

The former Manchester City attacker struck twice on Tuesday night as Diego Simeone's side put Tottenham to the sword at the Wanda Metropolitano in the Champions League last 16.

Speaking after the seven-goal thriller, Alvarez, who is also on Barcelona's radar, was asked if he could guarantee he'll still be an Atletico player next season.

He replied: “I don’t know, I don’t know, but maybe yes, maybe no. You never know. But I’m very happy here. You ask me a question that will end up all over the place, but I’m happy.

"I’m thinking about the day-to-day, I’m working to improve, to give my best here, I never said anything bad about the club, I’m very grateful, the people also showed me their affection, so I’m very happy."

Alvarez, however, refused to be drawn on reports linking him with Barcelona, adding: “I have nothing to say. These are things that are said on social media. A lot of things are said, but everyone posts their opinion and it just snowballs. I'm happy here, very content and competing in all the competitions.”

Arsenal have been tracking the 26-year-old since his time at Manchester City and the Gunners are willing to explore a summer swoop if the Argentinian becomes available.

But they are unlikely to be the only club at the table as Joan Laporta has already made it clear he will pursue a deal for Alvarez if he is re-elected as Barcelona president.

Laporta recently told Catalan radio: "Julian Alvarez is not a player who will break the bank. He's an excellent player who, they say, would fit perfectly into Barça's system, but he's not a player you have to pay a fortune for.

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"First, he should demonstrate his willingness to come, which is what we want from all the players who might interest us, and it should be at a reasonable price then, it could be considered. But, given his current demands, they're out of line."

Alvarez's agent Fernando Hidalgo has persistently denied he is in contact with any club regarding his client, who moved to Atletico in August 2024 in a deal worth up to £82million including add-ons.

Spanish reports in early February had claimed Hidalgo had spent time in London and even attended Arsenal's 1-0 Carabao Cup semi-final victory over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium. The player's contract with Atletico is due to run until the summer of 2030.