Arsenal get Julian Alvarez boost as €120m price tag under pressure

Julian Alvarez is Arsenal’s big summer signing target, and Mikel Arteta’s hopes of landing the World Cup winning striker have been increased substantially thanks to an unlikely source.

Atletico Madrid are falling out of love with Alvarez, who was booed as he went off during the 4-1 win Champions League win over Club Brugge.

Diego Simeone’s side moved into the last 16 of the Champions League with a second-half blitz as Alexander Sorloth completed a hat-trick against their Belgian opponents, yet Alvarez’s difficult period continued as he was hauled off before an hour had been played.

The door increasingly looks open for Arsenal who face competition from Barcelona for the World Cup winner.

Why it’s going wrong for Julian Alvarez at Atletico Madrid

Alvarez faces three main issues at Atletico Madrid:

• His form is poor.
• He faced increased competition following the January signing of Ademola Lookman.
• The fans have started to turn on him.

The 26-year-old had a prolific first season at Atletico Madrid, during which he scored 29 goals in 58 games across all competitions. With 13 in 37 so far this time around, he has struggled to replicate such a level, and recently the goals have dried up entirely. The former Manchester City man has not scored at all in LaLiga in his last 14 outings and has been relegated to the role of a substitute in his last two games.

AS’ summary of Julian Alvarez’s performance against Brugge spoke of his frustrations: “Discreet once more. He tries things, but they don’t work. Too many lost balls when trying to combine with the midfield and poor finishing.”

This has come at a time when Alvarez is being linked with a move away from the club. Arsenal have been linked with the forward while there is also interest from Barcelona. Combined with his poor form, this perceived lack of loyalty has fuelled the supporters’ unhappiness with the player and contributed to him being booed as he was taken off against Brugge.

Ironically, it is London-born attacker Ademola Lookman who may finally push Alvarez to Arsenal. Signed from Atalanta for €35m in the winter transfer window, the 28-year-old has four goals and three assists to his credit in seven games.

This form, combined with the scoring power of Sorloth, is making Alvarez increasingly peripheral.

Arsenal’s signing hopes increase

The positive news for Arsenal in all this is that it will make it more difficult for Atletico Madrid to stick by their demands of €120 million for Alvarez. His status is set to diminish before the summer and Simeone’s side will not be in a position to demand such a premium fee for someone who is not performing.

Barcelona’s interest already seems somewhat frivolous. The Catalans, after all, are struggling to justify splashing out €30m to secure Marcus Rashford from Manchester United, despite his strong form at Camp Nou this season. Although signing a centre-forward is more of a priority, the financial constraints placed on the club by Spain’s strict Financial Fair Play (FFP) measures cast serious doubt on them completing such a historic deal.

Arsenal, therefore, appear best placed to sign Alvarez if they still want him this summer – and his current struggles will only help them get the price down.

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