Romano: Arsenal wait for signal from world class attacker to start bidding

Julian Alvarez’s move to Barcelona isn’t happening – but given the attitude of Atletico fans, could we now see him at Arsenal?

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People openly laughed at Arsenal not long ago when Vinicius Jr pretty nakedly used the threat of joining the Gunners to draw a juicy new contract out of Real Madrid.

But Mikel Arteta’s team could yet have the last laugh. In a summer where they’ve added yet more depth and quality, and improved their standing at the top of the Premier League pile even further, they are still missing the superstar deal in attack they’ve been planning on all along.

They missed out on Morgan Rogers and Vinicius – but the window has another week to run, and one top player is still on the market. The scenes at the Metroplitano at the weekend involving Julian Alvarez will have reignited some hopes that the Atletico Madrid attacker can still be signed.

Arsenal wait for sign from Alvarez

Barcelona tried to sign Alvarez earlier in the summer and were rebuffed. Atletico have made their stance very clear, and didn’t shift it even when the Argentine went public with his desire to go.

The Atletico fans showed their displeasure during their first home game of the season. That may have convinced the former Man City man that he just needs to leave, even if it’s not to Barca.

Fabrizio Romano points out that Alvarez has “so far only wanted Barcelona”. But that could change now. The player will have to “open the door” for a move to get Arsenal bidding.

Could that now finally happen, with the dynamics all shifting?

??? Arsenal remain attentive to Julián Álvarez situation and internal feeling is they can reach an agreement with Atlético on the fee.

But #AFC will only bid if Julián decides to open doors to the move: his stance will be the key factor.

So far, Julián only wanted Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/U9kUVrumS1

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 25, 2026