Arsenal and Liverpool have expressed interest in signing former Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid this summer, according to reports in Spain.
Alvarez enjoyed an impressive first season at Atletico, scoring 29 goals in all competitions.
The Argentina international provided consistent goals for Man City but left the Etihad Stadium last summer in the pursuit of more game-time.
Alvarez quickly established himself as one of the most important players in Diego Simeone’s squad at Atletico and his form has not gone unnoticed.
Marca say Premier League champions Liverpool and runners-up Arsenal have both registered interest in the 25-year-old, who scored 36 goals in 103 appearances for Man City.
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It is claimed Liverpool have ‘already sounded out’ Atletico Madrid about a possible summer deal but that Arsenal are in fact regarded as the ‘strongest bidder’.
Arne Slot is keen to welcome a top goalscorer to Anfield having won the Premier League playing largely without a recognised striker.
That was also the case for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta is desperate to finally bring an elite forward to the Emirates Stadium.
The Premier League rivals have been linked with moves for Viktor Gyokeres and Hugo Ekitike but have seemingly added Alvarez to their list of targets.
Arsenal were joined by Chelsea in showing interest in Alvarez last summer while he was still at Manchester City.
Alvarez knows the Premier League well, of course, but reportedly has reservations about a return to England given his excellent first season in La Liga and the ease in which he settled at Atletico Madrid.
Marca claim Barcelona could give Alvarez the chance to not only stay in Spain but also win major trophies as they view the Argentine as a potential successor to Robert Robert Lewandowski.
Lewandowski enjoyed another productive season at the Nou Camp, scoring 42 goals in all competitions, but at 36 is coming to the end of his trophy-laden career.
Alvarez’s impressive form in the Spanish capital has led to questions over Manchester City’s decision to sell him last summer.
Julian Alvarez, Premier League stats
Appearances: 67
Goals: 20
Assists: 9
Shooting accuracy: 43%
But Man City raised £81.5m when they sold the forward and Pep Guardiola defended the decision by saying it was Alvarez who instigated the transfer.
‘It was a joy to work with him,’ Guardiola said shortly after his departure from the Etihad Stadium. ‘I learnt a lot from him and hopefully he can find what he was looking for.
‘He believes his period here must be over so both clubs arrive to an agreement.
‘He’s incredibly loved by the team for his behaviour but like I said many times for many players, he wants to leave and have a new challenge.’
Earlier in the season, ex-England midfielder Joe Cole hailed Alvarez as a future Ballon d’Or winner.
‘He’s another lad we know very well from the Premier League,’ Cole said on TNT Sports after Atletico Madrid’s Champions League first-leg tie against Real Madrid.
‘You won’t see a better goal in the Champions League. It’s beautiful, it’s sensational.
‘This kid has won it all and done it all and he’s still only 25. I think we see the best of him over the next five years. I think he’s a Ballon d’Or winner in the future.’
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