Arsenal ready to pounce on £80m Julian Alvarez as Man City face selling striker

Arsenal are keeping a close eye on Julian Alvarez’s situation at Manchester City. Despite being ready to start the new season without signing a new striker, the Gunners could pounce if Alvarez becomes available.

Pep Guardiola’s policy of not standing in the way of unhappy players might pave the way for Mikel Arteta to swoop in on his old club for the third time following the signings of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko – but only if the price is right.

The Premier League champions’ rumoured asking price of £80million, including add-ons, for the Argentine World Cup winner may be too steep for the London club.

However, they could have the funds to make a substantial offer if homegrown pair Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson follow Emile Smith Rowe out of the club in the coming days and weeks.

Arsenal have already spent £70million to bring in defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna and make goalkeeper David Raya’s move from Brentford permanent.

The Gunners weren’t planning any more big-ticket purchases – but that could change if Alvarez becomes available per the Mirror. The South American ticks many boxes for the Gunners.

At 24, he is still some years away from his peak but his two seasons in Manchester have yielded back-to-back titles, and he has also won the Champions League and FA Cup.

Alvarez could be the ideal goalscorer for Arteta, with the player having netted 20 times in just 44 Premier League starts, despite often being utilised as a midfielder by Guardiola.

Alvarez, who made his move to City in a £14.1million deal from River Plate, has expressed his discontent over his manager’s hesitation to start him in significant matches like the Champions League final and FA Cup final.

He is aware that Erling Haaland remains the club’s top striker and his threat to leave has not gone down well in Manchester.

Alvarez’s dream of an Olympic gold medal was dashed by France on Friday, and he will now be given a three-week break by his club after nearly three years of continuous play.

Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid are also keenly interested in the City striker.