Arsenal are still looking for a new centre-forward despite spending £64 million on Viktor Gyokeres last summer – and Julian Alvarez has emerged as a top target. Spanish media, though, have now reported that a move for the Argentine could have hit a snag.
The Gunners are fighting on three fronts after losing 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday thanks to a brace from Nico O’Reilly.
Now, Mikel Arteta’s men are sat at the top of the 2025/26 Premier League table, face Southampton in the next round of the FA Cup and have Sporting CP to lock horns with in the Champions League quarter-finals.
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Despite their three-pronged pursuit of silverware still going strong, there is much to be made about their lack of attacking power. Gyokeres has struggled to get to grips with English football and a replacement could be on the horizon.
Arsenal suffered massive blow in pursuit of Julian Alvarez
Formerly of City, Julian Alvarez would be the perfect addition for the Gunners – but getting a deal over the line was always going to be difficult thanks to the attention he’s earned after a terrific season in the Spanish capital.
At the time of writing, the 26-year-old has plundered 17 goals and six assists in 44 outings across all competitions.
Reports recently suggested that Arteta and his entourage had agreed a summer deal for the centre-forward as the Premier League table-toppers continue to prioritise to their frontline.
A potential Arsenal move to Alvarez, however, has suffered a massive blow as Atletico higher-ups – including manager Diego Simeone – are looking to extend his stay at the Metropolitano Stadium.
It must be noted that Alvarez is contracted until the summer of 2030 and Atletico are in no position to sell the one-time World Cup winner.
Instead, his current employers are looking to fend off any would-be buyers and see him put pen to paper on fresh terms.
A new contract would see the goal-getter’s €7 million-per-year take-home increase to €10 million on an annual basis – and that would reflect his importance to Atleti.
Formal talks between Julian Alvarez and Los Colchoneros are yet to begin at this stage but the latter are hopeful that he’ll sign on the dotted line and end any speculation over his future at the club.
Jamie Carragher: Viktor Gyokeres needs replacing at Arsenal
Regardless of whether Alvarez is the man or not, Jamie Carragher – following Arsenal’s loss on Sunday – is adamant that Arteta needs to sign a new centre-forward in the summer, thus replacing Gyokeres.
Ex-Gunners frontman Ian Wright was discussing the performance of Gyokeres and Carragher responded: “You [Arsenal] still need to buy a centre-forward.”
| Statistics | Julian Alvarez | Viktor Gyokeres |
| Minutes | 1905 | 1903 |
| Goals | 8 | 11 |
| Assists | 4 | 0 |
| Shots per 90 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| Key passes per 90 | 1.6 | 0.6 |
| Dribbles per 90 | 0.9 | 0.2 |
| Overall rating | 6.95 | 6.67 |
The Swedish striker arrived from Sporting CP in the summer of 2025 and (goalscoring aside) has struggled to make the transition from Portugal’s top flight to the Premier League. That could change, however.
Who could Arsenal target as summer striker instead?
The fact that Atleti are looking to tie Alvarez down beyond the end of this season and that Barcelona, too, are in the mix for his signature, Arsenal may be forced to look elsewhere to fulfil the position of striker.
Pio Esposito of Inter Milan has been previously linked with a move to the Gunners, though his plan is reportedly to stay in the Italian capital.
Elsewhere, Anthony Gordon – despite being a winger by trade – can fill in at the top of the tree and the Englishman is reportedly of interest to Arteta and his entourage.
Alternatively, the Londoners could stick with Gyokeres. The 1998-born forward has plundered plenty of goals for Arsenal since his summer arrival but not all things have fallen into place.
