BBC Journalist (Who Broke The Zubimendi Deal) Confirms Arsenal Have “Looked At” Signing 29 Goal Sesko Alternative

Arsenal have explored a move to sign Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, according to the BBC‘s Sami Mokbel.

The journalist revealed the news that Martin Zubimendi would sign for the Gunners all the way back in January and, speaking on the Latte Firm YouTube channel, Mokbel said Alvarez was considered as a target, but the transfer was ruled out due to the costs involved:

“You know the other name that I heard was Julian Alvarez. I think they knew it’s expensive, very expensive obviously, but from what I understand, I think they looked at that deal and analysed that deal and tried to figure out whether it would be within their capabilities. I suspect not.”

“I think this is why we’re seeing now this kind of race emerge between [Benjamin] Sesko and [Viktor] Gyokeres. I think those two, in terms of the finances, are the most realistic and obtainable.”

How much would Alvarez cost?

The Argentinian international was sold by Manchester City to Atletico for £82m last year, and he went on to score 29 goals in all competitions for the La Liga side in his first season.

Since then, both his manager Diego Simeone and club president Enrique Cerezo have made it clear that Alvarez would not be going anywhere this summer.

For that reason, it is assumed that Atletico would demand a fee well in excess of £100m. The Gunners would probably have needed to break their transfer record.

Sesko and Gyokeres remain the 2 top targets for Arsenal

Both strikers are likely to cost in the €80m (£68m) range, although it believed Leipzig want their fee up front due to a release clause in Sesko’s contract.

While Sporting may be more amenable to payments being made in instalments, it is believed that Gyokeres’s wage demands are very high. That is why neither deal has progressed to the final stages yet.

In other news, David Ornstein has confirmed that Arsenal are hoping to secure the signature of a 20-year-old defender