Arsenal and Liverpool get final answer over surprise Julian Alvarez transfer

Daily Mirror

2 days ago

Julian Alvarez has been linked with a swift return to the Premier League with Arsenal and Liverpool interested in his services but Atletico Madrid insist he is not for sale
Julian Alvarez will 'remain an Atletico Madrid player' this summer despite strong transfer interest in the former Manchester City striker from the Premier League, says club president, Enrique Cerezo.
Alvarez, 25, enjoyed a stellar maiden season with the Spanish giants, scoring 29 goals in all competitions after swapping the Premier League for La Liga in an £80million deal. He looked the part during his two years at The Etihad, too, despite competing for game time with Erling Haaland, so it comes as no surprise to learn there is interest in bringing him back to England.
‌
Arsenal and Liverpool are the teams who have been linked with Alvarez ahead of the summer transfer window with both clubs in the market for more firepower.
‌
However, Cerezo has made it clear that Atletico have no intention of cashing in on the Argentina star just 12 months after splashing mega-money to bring him to Madrid.
'Julian Alvarez is an Atletico Madrid player and will be an Atletico Madrid player,' he told Marca on Monday night.
It remains to be seen if either Arsenal or Liverpool will test that stance with an official approach for Alvarez in the coming weeks, though both are said to have other No.9 targets.
The same publication reported interest from the two clubs last month. Arsenal were referred to as the 'strongest bidders', with the Gunners desperate to sign an elite striker as they bid to finally end their long wait for a domestic title.
It was also noted that Alvarez himself had 'reservations' about returning to the Premier League despite his success at Manchester City, where his departure split opinions.
‌
If Alvarez is out of reach, then Arsenal's search for a new striker looks set to revolve around Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko, both of whom are long-term targets and are seemingly poised to leave their respective clubs this summer.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have been linked with Hugo Ekitike, the sought-after Eintracht Frankfurt forward. They are likely to face competition from Chelsea if they do pursue a deal for the Frenchman, though, with the Blues also eager to snap up the 22-year-old despite their imminent capture of Liam Delap from Ipswich Town.
The Reds are expected to sell Darwin Nunez to fund a move for a new striker with the club also pursuing a potential record deal for the Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder, Florian Wirtz.