Arsenal named as 'only escape route' for Mikel Arteta's dream summer signing

Arsenal don't intend to stand still after winning the Premier League and reaching the Champions League final last season.

The Gunners necessarily have a high bar when it comes to summer transfer targets. Improving on their title-winning squad won't be cheap or easy.

Former Manchester City striker and World Cup winner Julian Alvarez emerged as one of Arsenal's top transfer targets but the Atletico Madrid man is also in demand in Spain.

As Arsenal prepare to compete on four fronts again in 2026-27, the influence of sporting director Andrea Berti is likely to be key.

Formerly the football chief at Atleti, Berta oversaw Alvarez's move from City to the Spanish capital and his interest in taking him back to the Premier League is understood to date back to last summer.

Viktor Gyokeres was Arsenal's attacking signing a year ago but the Gunners could be in pole position to add to their firepower this summer despite competition from Barcelona.

Alvarez's name was also used in vain during the presidential election at Real Madrid, with a mega bid reportedly rejected with a flourish by Atletico.

With the interest of Barcelona and Real Madrid summarily dismissed, Arsenal could have the advantage of being Alvarez's last port in a La Liga transfer storm.

"What is clear, without a doubt, is that Atlético de Madrid will defend its interests tooth and nail," reports AS.

"Its current and former directors have no qualms about putting anyone who tries to destabilize the club in a difficult position.

"The only way out for Julian Alvarez is Arsenal. The English club has both the interest and the money to sign the Argentine.

"It won't be easy, however. The Argentine international's continued presence at Atlético Madrid seems unlikely despite the club's management's insistence on keeping the striker."

Atletico Madrid won't sell Alvarez to Real Madrid

AS reports that Barcelona have no intention of upping their top offer and Real Madrid's overtures were ridiculed by their city rivals in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

"Official statement with our clarifications regarding the official statement from our neighbours, Real Madrid," the post read.

"1. They cut out the part of the Pope's video where he said he was an Atleti fan too.

"2. You must have confused politeness with gratitude, but to leave no doubt: we don't thank you for anything.

"3. We neither studied nor considered any offer for Julian.

"4. How could we not get along when you make us laugh even more than Barcelona do?"