Arsenal have been linked with Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez ahead of the summer
Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez has been linked with Arsenal(Image: Isosport/MB Media, Getty Images)
Arsenal find themselves in an enviable position heading into the summer transfer window. The newly-crowned Premier League champions could also enter the market after a possible Champions League triumph.
Mikel Arteta’s side collected the Premier League trophy on Sunday and still have the opportunity to further cement their legacy before the curtain falls on the season. The Gunners are gearing up to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final this weekend as Arsenal bid to claim the trophy for the first time in their history.
While several of their domestic rivals face periods of transition heading into the summer, the solidity of Arteta’s setup could hand the club a significant edge in the transfer market. Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez has been repeatedly linked with a high-profile move to the Emirates Stadium.
Meanwhile, Leandro Trossard has addressed his future at Arsenal. football.london rounds up some of the most significant stories surrounding the Gunners.
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Julian Alvarez transfer ‘decision’
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has conceded that Julian Alvarez has likely already determined his next move. The Argentina international has been linked with Arsenal, while Barcelona have reportedly cooled their interest.
“It’s not a question for me, it’s a question for Julian,” Simeone told Movistar when pressed on Alvarez’s future. “He’s old enough to know what he’s going to do, and I imagine he’s already made his decision.”
The former Manchester City star netted 20 goals across all competitions for Atletico this season. Ahead of the Champions League semi-final showdown with Arsenal, Simeone explained that the Gunners were among the clubs pursuing the 26-year-old.
“I’m not inside Julian Alvarez’s head,” Simeone said in April. “It’s normal that an extraordinary player like Julian Alvarez is wanted by Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona. It’s normal because he’s very good.”
Leandro Trossard addresses future
Leandro Trossard has indicated that he expects to remain at Arsenal beyond this season. The Belgian forward has made 49 appearances across all competitions this campaign, yet is set to enter the final 12 months of his contract.
Quizzed on whether he would be staying at the club, Trossard told Metro : “At the moment, yes. I still have one year on my contract, and hopefully, first we win the Champions League. Then I think next season can be another very nice season.”
The 31-year-old attracted transfer interest during last summer’s window. However, the Arsenal forward revealed how an honest conversation with Arteta was influential in his decision to stay.
“Competition is always there,” Trossard said. “I am not afraid of that. They can bring in whoever they want. I know that I can hold my own.
“It was more about appreciation towards me, and I did feel that. In the summer, I had a very good conversation with the coach. He also helped me in those negotiations and showed me that he really saw me as an important piece.”
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