From Spain: Top Arsenal transfer target increasingly open to joining after Mikel Arteta talks

Arsenal may be in luck as it seems Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez is now reportedly increasingly open to joining the Gunners.

The Argentina international has long been linked with Arsenal, and it’s easy to see him being a great fit for the Premier League champions.

Despite also being strongly linked with Barcelona, it now seems that Alvarez may have been persuaded to consider Arsenal after talks with Mikel Arteta.

That’s according to Spanish outlet AS, as cited and translated by the Evening Standard, with Alvarez now widely felt to be desperate to get a move out of Atletico Madrid.

Julian Alvarez transfer saga may be nearing its conclusion

As the report notes, Arsenal are still looking for a marquee signing up front after failing to convince Vinicius Junior to join earlier in the window.

Alvarez would surely fit the bill as an upgrade on Viktor Gyokeres, who wasn’t entirely convincing for Arsenal last season, despite hitting 21 goals in all competitions to help the club win the title and reach the Champions League final.

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The report notes that Alvarez has been keen on joining Barcelona, but Atletico seem to be adamant that they won’t sell their star player to a La Liga rival.

This could put AFC in a strong position as Alvarez is seemingly now just focused on getting a move away at all costs after becoming so unsettled.

What would Alvarez deal mean for Gyokeres?

If Alvarez joins, it would surely be Gyokeres facing an uncertain future at the Emirates Stadium.

The Sweden international was an unused substitute in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Coventry City on Friday, suggesting that Arteta is ready to make Kai Havertz his first choice if a new signing doesn’t come in.

Havertz has started over Gyokeres in the opening two matches of this season, as well as in the Champions League final at the end of last season.

Still, the Germany international probably isn’t a 25-goal-a-season centre-forward Arsenal need either, with Alvarez looking like someone with the potential to take this team to new heights.

Havertz can also operate as an attacking midfielder, so there could be a role for him even if Alvarez were also to join, whereas Gyokeres may well be someone we see being put on the market if this deal comes to fruition.