Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has hinted that one of his sought-after star players has already decided on his future amidst interest from Arsenal.
Arsenal began their reign as champions with a 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon and now have a Champions League final to look forward to. But after that they enter the summer transfer window looking to bolster their title-winning squad as they eye up back-to-back league titles for the first time in 89 years.
The Gunners have had the best defence in the country for the past 3 years, and this year they have taken it to another level, keeping 19 clean sheets in the Premier League. However, going forward they had the second-highest number of goals, behind Manchester City with 71, and have been criticised by some for being ‘boring’ and ‘nervy’ and not killing teams off; 14 of their wins came by just a single goal.
So if this team are to defend their title and stay at the top, adding some fire power in attack will do them no harm
Simeone ‘imagines Alvarez decision already made’
One attacker the Gunners are reportedly targeting is Argentine World Cup winner Julian Alvarez, whose future at Atletico Madrid is in doubt with several of European footballs big boys holding an interest. The Argentine international heads to the US this summer looking for back to back World Cups, but after that his attention will shift towards making a decision on his future. However his club boss thinks his decision has already been made.
According to football.London, Diego Simeone told media when asked about his star’s future, “It’s not a question for me, it’s a question for Julian…He’s old enough to know what he’s going to do, and I imagine he’s already made his decision.”
PSG, Arsenal and Barcelona among the clubs interested
If Arsenal are going to secure Alvarez’s signature they’ll have to fight off competition from fellow European giants PSG and Barcelona.
Simeone revealed these clubs hold an interest in his player when he told media in April; “It’s normal that an extraordinary player like Julian Alvarez is wanted by Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona. It’s normal because he’s very good.”
With the futures of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard in doubt, considering the amount Arsenal have spent particularly last summer, cashing in on one of these 3 to upgrade their front line is an option for Arteta this summer.
Of Arsenals current attacking options only Viktor Gyokeres’ 21 goals in all competitions this season can better Alvarez’s tally of 18. So in their quest to add goals and become a more effective attacking outfit beating PSG and Barcelona to sign Alvarez would do them no harm
