Atletico Madrid have placed a £130 million valuation on striker Julian Alvarez and have no intention of selling him this summer, according to a report from Sky Sports. The stance comes despite confirmed interest from Arsenal, who have held talks with the player's representatives, as well as from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. The news follows public comments from Atletico manager Diego Simeone acknowledging Arsenal's interest ahead of the two clubs' Champions League semi-final clash this week.
Sky Sports reports that Atletico's position is firm and will not change even if Alvarez, the Argentina international, requests a transfer. A source close to the situation indicated to Sky that Alvarez's preference, should a move materialise, would be a switch to Barcelona. However, the report casts doubt on the relevance of any such preference given the unlikelihood of any deal, with other sources in Spain suggesting the player is increasingly aware a summer transfer is off the table.
Arsenal's pursuit is driven by a perceived need to solve their long-term striker issues. The club invested heavily last summer in Swedish forward Viktor Gyokeres, but the 27-year-old has struggled to adapt to the Premier League and has often been displaced by Kai Havertz in important matches. This has led the Gunners' hierarchy to view the Gyokeres signing as a misstep and to seek a more definitive solution for manager Mikel Arteta.
Alvarez, 26, is seen as that potential solution. Since his move from Manchester City to Atletico Madrid, he has developed into a key figure for Diego Simeone's side and a regular for the Argentine national team. His blend of work rate, technical ability, and proven goal threat at the highest level aligns with the profile Arsenal are seeking. However, the colossal asking price and Atletico's defiant stance present a significant barrier.
The financial constraints of Barcelona make their involvement appear largely theoretical, while PSG's interest adds another wealthy competitor to the mix. Despite the obstacles, TEAMtalk understands Arsenal are not yet ready to abandon their interest, such is their conviction that Alvarez represents the final piece in Arteta's project to return the club to silverware. Nevertheless, with Alvarez's camp reportedly keen to avoid a protracted saga, and Sky Sports suggesting a sale is not on the cards, Arsenal may be forced to consider alternatives sooner rather than later. Victor Osimhen of Napoli has been repeatedly linked as one such option.
