Arsenal Pursues Julián Álvarez Amid Osimhen Negotiations
Arsenal’s Premier League campaign could hardly have started smoother. A 3-0 win over newly-promoted Coventry City at the Emirates on Friday night, three different scorers, and a front line that looked sharp from the first whistle.
Kai Havertz led the line and set the tone, sweeping in the opener to settle any early nerves. Bukayo Saka added the second, Martin Ødegaard the third, and Mikel Arteta walked down the tunnel with the look of a manager whose plans are landing exactly as drawn.
And yet, Arsenal are still hunting a striker.
Arsenal test Atletico’s resolve over Álvarez
Julián Álvarez remains high on Arteta’s list. The twist? The Argentine does not want a return to England.
Álvarez left Manchester City for Barcelona in 2024 and, according to SPORT, has been clear that his preference is to stay in Spain and continue at the Camp Nou. That stance has not scared Arsenal off.
The report claims Atletico Madrid, who currently have Álvarez, would rather sell to Arsenal than strengthen direct La Liga rivals Barcelona. To make it happen, the Gunners are said to be ready to put a huge package on the table: Victor Gyökeres plus €80 million (£68m) in exchange for the 26-year-old.
On top of that, Arsenal are reportedly prepared to offer Álvarez an annual salary of €25m (£21m). That figure would place him among the club’s top earners and, as described in Spain, would effectively double his current wages. It is being framed as a last-ditch attempt to drag him back to the Premier League despite his reluctance.
Atletico’s preference, Arsenal’s money, Barcelona’s pull, and the player’s own stance – it is a transfer tug-of-war with all the usual fault lines.
Osimhen talks as Plan B
Arsenal are not betting everything on Álvarez. With the window ticking down, they have moved to open another door.
Foot Mercato report that the club have begun negotiations with Galatasaray over Victor Osimhen, with the Nigerian emerging as a serious alternative if the Álvarez move collapses.
Osimhen’s name has already featured in discussions between the clubs. He was reportedly mentioned when Galatasaray tried to prise Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Martinelli away from north London, and his form in Turkey has only strengthened his position. The 27-year-old has fired Galatasaray to back-to-back league titles and established himself as one of the most dominant centre-forwards in Europe.
That level of performance comes at a cost. The same report notes that Osimhen’s current salary, around £17.1m a year, would be a major obstacle for any deal. Any move to Arsenal – or to fellow admirers Tottenham – would likely hinge on the striker accepting a significant wage cut.
Arsenal have started the season with goals, control and momentum. Whether they finish the window with Julián Álvarez, Victor Osimhen, or neither will say plenty about how far they are prepared to go to turn that strong start into a genuine title push.
