Arsenal's Bold Late Offer for Julián Álvarez as Osimhen Talks Emerge
Arsenal have opened their Premier League season in style. A 3-0 win over Coventry City at the Emirates on Friday night, goals from Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard, and a performance that suggested Mikel Arteta’s attack is already in sync.
And yet, Arsenal are still hunting a striker.
Havertz led the line and scored the opener, Saka and Ødegaard added the gloss, but the recruitment drive has not slowed. At the centre of it: Julián Álvarez.
Arsenal’s last throw for Álvarez
Álvarez has been clear about one thing: he does not want a return to England. After leaving Manchester City in 2024 for Barcelona, the Argentina forward has set his sights on staying in Spain.
Arsenal are trying to change his mind.
According to Spanish outlet SPORT, the Gunners have made a late, aggressive move to land the 26-year-old from Atlético Madrid, who now own his rights. Atlético, the report claims, would rather sell to Arsenal than strengthen La Liga rivals Barcelona.
The proposal is eye-catching. Arsenal are said to be prepared to send Victor Gyökeres plus €80 million (£68m) to Atlético in exchange for Álvarez. On top of that, the north London club are reportedly ready to put an enormous salary on the table: €25m (£21m) per year.
That figure would place Álvarez among Arsenal’s top earners and, per the report, would roughly double his current wages. It is described as a last-ditch attempt, a financial statement designed to drag him back to the Premier League despite his preference to remain in Spain.
Álvarez’s stance is known. Arsenal’s intent is now just as clear.
Osimhen talks in the background
Arsenal are not betting everything on one striker.
With the Álvarez chase still uncertain, Arteta’s side have started working on a parallel option. Foot Mercato report that Arsenal have opened negotiations with Galatasaray over Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen’s name has already featured in conversations between the clubs. The Nigeria international was previously discussed when Galatasaray explored moves for Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Martinelli, and his form in Turkey has only strengthened his position.
Since arriving, Osimhen has fired Galatasaray to back-to-back league titles, establishing himself as one of the most dominant forwards in Europe. That kind of output has drawn interest elsewhere too, with Tottenham also credited with an eye on the former Napoli star.
There is a problem, though: his wages.
Reports suggest Osimhen currently earns around £17.1m per year. Any deal with Arsenal would likely hinge on a significant pay cut, a major obstacle in negotiations and a key factor for any Premier League suitor.
So Arsenal stand at a familiar crossroads: a huge offer on the table for Álvarez, a complicated route to Osimhen, and a team that has already started the season with goals. How far are they willing to go to land the final piece of Arteta’s attack?
