You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain who wants a move to Barcelona. It’s not quite how the saying goes, but as far as Julian Alvarez is concerned, it is a new mantra that he’s currently living by even if it all ends in a late deal with Arsenal.
The South American was booed by home fans last weekend, before he was instructed to enter the dressing room instead of applauding those fans. He’s gone from the main man in Diego Simeone’s side to public enemy No.1 following reports throughout the summer that he wants a move to Barca or Real Madrid.
No matter the jeers from their own fans, Atletico are determined not to give into their rivals. However, even they won’t deny that a move, for the right price, is the best outcome for all parties and that’s where Arsenal enter the frame.
Why Arsenal would become a complete team with Julian Alvarez
Whilst the battle for custody continues in Spain, Arsenal may well swoop in to land a late deal. The north London club have already been in contact with Atletico Madrid about making a move happen and they’ve told Alvarez that his old route out of the club will be to a team outside of Spain.
The player himself, though, is still insisting that he only wants to join Barcelona. It’s a classic transfer stand-off just a matter of days before the transfer window slams shut.
It all comes down to how desperate Alvarez is. How fed up will he get with the jeers from his own fans? Enough to choose Arsenal? That is the question Andrea Berta will be asking, with David Ornstein revealing that, at present, the World Cup winner isn’t keen on heading to the Emirates.
If there is hope, then the Premier League champions should take full advantage of the situation. The Argentine is the blockbuster signing that Arsenal have been hoping for all summer long. It may not have been Vinicius Junior, but it could be the former Manchester City man.
In terms of style, he is the perfect blend between Kai Havertz’s intelligent build-up play and Viktor Gyokeres’ vintage No.9 style. Add on the fact that he can play all across the frontline and Berta should start collecting his opening offer.
Julian Alvarez in the Premier League | |
|---|---|
Games | 67 |
Goals | 20 |
Assists | 11 |
It all sounds so simple, but the reality is that it’s far from it. And the bad news for Arsenal is that as long as Alvarez wants Barcelona, they’ll be on course to miss out and fall back on another impressive target, who could eventually make the same impact.
Arsenal have signed their own mini Alvarez
What if the answer doesn’t lie in the big-money signings?
It certainly hasn’t done for other top six teams in the past. The last 12 months, to be exact, with a glance towards Anfield. What if the answer lies in the form of a young forward who could become one of the true bargains of Mikel Arteta’s reign?
Igor Tyjon is someone that Arsenal have wanted for a few seasons. They’ve tried and tried to negotiate with Blackburn Rovers to no avail until this summer. The Gunners have finally reached an agreement to sign the 18-year-old, who could cost them just £3m with potential add-ons. He penned terms with the north Londoners on Friday.
It’s not as flashy as Alvarez, but Tyjon is one to watch. At 15, the forward made his debut for Blackburn’s U21s. In the same season, he was handed a place on the first-team bench. Three years later, he’s scored 13 goals in 33 games for the U21s and made three first-team appearances to earn a move to The Emirates.
Now at the start of adulthood, the England youth international has earned plenty of praise from several experts, including Antonio Mango. The U23 scout dubbed Tyjon a “highly-rated striker” and praised his “unique” style last June. Since then, he has watched on as he’s reached new levels.
He also praised his link-up play and intelligence – two traits that Alvarez would have offered Arsenal had he not been intent on joining Barcelona. If that is the case, then Berta should simply enjoy saving his money and landing a bargain deal for young star Tyjon.
Tyjon vs Alvarez – key stats from 2025/26 | ||
|---|---|---|
Stats (* = per 90 mins) | Tyjon (PL 2) | Alvarez (La Liga) |
Minutes | 822 | 1,902 |
Goals | 4 | 8 |
Assists | 2 | 4 |
Chances created * | 1.31 | 2.22 |
Touches inside opposition box * | 2.96 | 4.31 |
Recoveries | 5.26 | 2.41 |
Although the two levels aren’t comparable, given that Tyjon was playing youth football last season, the stats highlight the player that the teenager is on course to become.
Like Alvarez, he’s not just a goalscorer but he’s a creator too. In Premier League 2 last season, the teenager ranked among the top 25% of strikers for chances created per 90 minutes.
He mirrors Alvarez in the way that he can create and score, whilst also spending more time outside the area. It’s there that the versatile forward presses well to recover possession and create chances, much like the Argentine.
