Arsenal’s Julián Álvarez Transfer Hopes Face Fresh Barcelona Threat
Arsenal’s pursuit of Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez may be complicated once again by Barcelona. Mikel Arteta is understood to remain keen on the Argentina international, but reports that Álvarez is considering a new agent with strong connections to the Catalan club have prompted fresh concern in north London.
According to Sport, Álvarez is close to appointing Pablo Barquero, an agent who reportedly played a role in Rodri’s transfer to Barcelona last summer. The appointment would not confirm that a move to Camp Nou is imminent, but it could strengthen the perception that Barcelona remains a preferred destination for the forward.
A change of representative adds uncertainty
Álvarez recently ended his working relationship with Fernando Hidalgo, who had represented him since he was 15. The split followed a difficult period in which the striker was linked with a possible departure from Atlético, including an unsuccessful attempt to join Barcelona during the summer transfer window.
Former Argentina international Javier Pastore, who represents Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández, was initially reported to be among the leading candidates to take over Álvarez’s affairs. The situation appears to have shifted, however, with Barquero now reportedly emerging as the favourite.
For Arsenal, the timing is significant. The club has spent months monitoring Álvarez and exploring the possibility of bringing him to the Premier League. A representative’s contacts do not determine a player’s next move, but they can influence negotiations, shape communication between clubs and help establish which options are pursued most actively.
That is why the reported development has attracted attention at the Emirates. Arsenal have previously encountered the possibility that Álvarez would favour Barcelona, and the striker’s reported interest in a representative with links to the Spanish side may reinforce that concern. Still, it remains a prediction rather than confirmation: no transfer agreement has been announced, and Álvarez’s future could depend on several factors, including Atlético’s position, Barcelona’s finances and the player’s own priorities.
Why Álvarez appeals to Arteta
Arteta is believed to regard Álvarez as a strong fit for Arsenal’s attacking plans. The 26-year-old offers more than a conventional centre-forward’s presence in the penalty area. His movement can create space for teammates, he is capable of pressing defenders, and his experience in high-pressure matches gives him a profile suited to a club competing for major honours.
Álvarez has also demonstrated that he can contribute in different attacking roles, operating through the middle or drifting into wider areas. That versatility could give Arsenal more options against opponents who defend deep, while allowing Arteta to adjust his front line without making a substitution. For a team seeking consistency across the Premier League and European competition, that flexibility is a valuable part of the transfer case.
Arsenal’s interest is not new. The club attempted to sign the forward last summer but did not secure a deal, and the reported pursuit has continued as the Gunners assess their long-term needs in attack. Any renewed effort would nevertheless be complicated by competition from Barcelona and the challenge of negotiating with Atlético, who are not expected to part with one of their most important players cheaply.
Atlético’s reported valuation could shape negotiations
Recent reports suggest Atlético may have lowered their asking price to around €120 million, after valuing Álvarez at approximately €150 million during the previous summer window. If accurate, the revised figure could make a deal more attainable, although it would still represent a major investment and would likely require careful planning from any interested club.
Arsenal are believed to have the financial capacity to pursue a high-profile signing, but a transfer of this scale would involve more than the fee alone. Wages, contract length, performance-related payments and the club’s wider recruitment priorities would all need to be considered. Atlético, meanwhile, would have to decide whether the proposed package reflects Álvarez’s value to their team and whether suitable replacements are available.
The reported price should also be treated cautiously until it is confirmed by the clubs. Transfer valuations can change depending on the timing of negotiations, a player’s contract situation and the number of teams competing for his signature. Barcelona’s involvement, if it develops into a concrete bid, could therefore alter the financial picture for Arsenal.
Gyökeres’ form could influence Arsenal’s plans
Arsenal’s interest in Álvarez has also been linked to the club’s assessment of its current forward options. Viktor Gyökeres has not yet consistently reached the level expected of him, according to reports, adding pressure to the conversation about how Arsenal can improve their attack.
TEAMtalk has reported that Arsenal could consider selling Gyökeres if they manage to complete a deal for Álvarez. That possibility remains speculative, and a change in the forward line would depend on the club’s evaluation of Gyökeres, the availability of buyers and the overall cost of bringing in a replacement. A potential transfer strategy could also involve keeping both players, depending on Arteta’s preferred system and the demands of a crowded fixture schedule.
Any decision would carry sporting as well as financial implications. Arsenal would need to weigh the value of continuity against the prospect of adding a forward whose movement and experience are seen as especially attractive. The club would also have to ensure that a major signing complements the rest of the attack rather than simply adding another expensive name.
What happens next?
For now, Álvarez’s reported agent search is a new detail in a transfer story with no guaranteed outcome. It may indicate that Barcelona remains an important option in his thinking, but it does not rule out Arsenal or establish that negotiations are underway. The next clues are likely to come from Atlético’s stance, the identity of Álvarez’s eventual representative and whether either interested club makes its intentions formal.
Arsenal’s challenge is to show that their sporting project can compete with Barcelona’s appeal while remaining realistic about the cost of a deal. Álvarez would bring qualities Arteta values, but the Gunners may face a familiar obstacle if the player’s preference points toward Camp Nou. Until the clubs or the striker provide clearer signals, the prediction remains uncertain: Arsenal are still interested, Barcelona may have an advantage, and Atlético’s valuation could decide whether the transfer becomes possible.
