Arsenal are exploring the possibility of launching a summer move for Atlético Madrid forward Julián Álvarez

By Akpo Esco

Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta has strong links with the LaLiga club after spending 12 years working at the club prior to moving to north London last March.

Berta negotiated Álvarez's €95 million ($82.4m) transfer from Manchester City in August 2024 and sources suggest he retains a close relationship with the player's agent, Fernando Hidalgo, and his camp.

Barcelona hold a strong interest in Álvarez but their ongoing financial difficulties appear to complicate a potential deal of this scale.

Álvarez is thought to have a mammoth €500m release clause in his contract but sources in Spain suggest Atlético would demand a fee in excess of €100m this summer, if they were willing to sell at all.

Álvarez has scored 40 goals in 85 games since joining Atlético and has a contract until 2030