Arsenal need ‘indecent offer’ to sign Champions League star

Arsenal scouts will be in attendance for Atletico Madrid‘s clash with Club Brugge – but not necessarily to watch Julian Alvarez.

The Argentine striker is believed to be one of the Gunners’ prime targets for the summer transfer window, although the recent upturn in the form of Viktor Gyokeres casts doubt on whether the Premier League leaders truly need another high-profile forward.

It is, however, no secret that sporting director Andrea Berta is a huge admirer of the 26-year-old. After all, he was the man who brought the former Man City star to Atletico Madrid in a deal that can rise to as high as €95 million.

Signing him in the summer will likely require an even bigger fee. Indeed, it has been claimed that Arsenal made a €120m offer for Alvarez last year, but neither Atleti nor the player were keen on talking business.

Alvarez is said to be reluctant to return to England and would prefer to stay in Spain and sign with Barcelona. Be that as it may, Arsenal continue to keep tabs on the World Cup winner, and a scout will be in attendance for Tuesday’s Champions League second leg between Atleti and Club Brugge.

Arsenal scout to watch a different player

However, according to Calciomercato, scouting Alvarez will not be this Arsenal official’s main assignment tonight. Instead, this scout will be tasked with analysing Brugge star Aleksandar Stankovic.

The midfielder is enjoying a breakout season in Belgium and is attracting the attention of various top clubs around Europe. The son of Inter legend Dejan Stankovic, the 20-year-old only left his boyhood club in the summer and, by his own admission, dreams of returning to the San Siro.

Inter have a €23m buy-back option that they are expected to trigger after the season. This complicates matters for Stankovic’s suitors, but the report claims that the Nerazzurri could be compelled to sell him if an “indecent offer” is made.

What constitutes such a bid is not clarified, but it would surely have to be well in excess of that €23m clause. The fact that Arsenal will watch Stankovic up close once again illustrates their serious interest in him, but it does not mean that they will compete for his signature.

After all, the Gunners look well-stocked in the midfielder department when everyone is fit, so they will be wary of paying over the odds for Stankovic. However, the interest in the Serbian is further proof that Arsenal are looking at young midfield options.

The North London giants also closely scouted Rodrigo Mendoza at Elche ahead of the January window but opted against making a move. He, ironically, ended up at Atleti and may feature against Brugge after missing the weekend’s game against Espanyol.

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