Renowned insider Fabrizio Romano has clarified the situation surrounding Atletico's Argentine forward Julian Alvarez amid speculation about his readiness to join Arsenal, while also revealing crucial details regarding Declan Rice's imminent contract extension.
This past summer, Arsenal prioritised the signing of a top-tier striker. The Gunners had their sights set on Morgan Rogers, who ultimately chose Chelsea, and Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid. However, they were left without a major attacking reinforcement. Leandro Trossard's departure to Besiktas was followed by the arrival of Christos Dzolis, yet the departures of Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli severely limited the team’s attacking options.
All summer, Alvarez expressed his desire to move to Barcelona. Still, Atletico flatly refused to sell him to direct rivals. As the transfer window closed, Arsenal stood as the only real alternative, but the forward opted to remain in Madrid. Now, with the Catalans shifting their focus elsewhere, respected Spanish journalist Guillem Balague has confirmed that Alvarez is seriously considering a move to Emirates Stadium, with the club preparing another bid in January.
Commenting on the forward's future on his YouTube channel, Romano confirmed changes in Alvarez's camp:
Many have been asking me what's happening with Julian Alvarez. Is it true he's changing agents and reassessing his position for January? Let’s break this down. On one hand—yes. Alvarez is open to changes in his camp after a tough summer. He’s working on switching up the people responsible for his future to adjust his strategy. But if you ask about the January window, the stance from all parties—both Alvarez and the club—is clear: 'Let him play football in peace. Leave him alone.' Right now, the main objective is to shield him from unnecessary pressure.
Simultaneously, Arsenal has achieved a critical success in retaining its core. Romano stressed that the club is in the final stages of securing a new contract for key midfielder Declan Rice, following Mikel Arteta's contract extension:
Extending Mikel Arteta's contract was absolutely paramount. The team faced a challenging period in March and April, but owners and hierarchy fully backed the manager and agreed on a new deal with him and his staff. Now, it’s crucial for the club to keep hold of key players. As for Declan Rice, the agreement is very close, and everything is in the final stages. For Arsenal, it’s a matter of honour to offer a salary that reflects his status as one of the best midfielders on the planet. Rice is ready to sign shortly; just a few final details need ironing out.
