Arsenal remain in the hunt for a new centre-forward as part of their long-term strategy and their latest target has already got Thierry Henry’s approval.
Viktor Gyokeres is still very much being selected but there is a growing feeling that the Gunners could use the summer window to target a big name forward.
Reports suggest Arsenal have held discussions over signing Julian Alvarez as the Atletico Madrid and former Man City ace plots his next career move.
Prove me wrong, Julian Alvarez is still a player Arsenal should sign.
Of course, Arsenal fans are familiar with Alvarez from his time in England. He made a big impact with Man City but ultimately, was moved on when he knew he wouldn’t play ahead of Erling Haaland.
Now linked with Arsenal once again, it’s worth noting just how highly Thierry Henry rates him.
Thierry Henry’s opinion on Julian Alvarez is clear
Pep Guardiola was gutted when he lost Alvarez but he knew deep down that he had to let his man go and flourish elsewhere.
Alvarez is a regular in Madrid and for Argentina. Indeed, he has always impressed with his work ethic and quality.
So much so, that the great Thierry Henry noted his brilliance.
“I will be honest with you. One of my favourite nines out there at the minute is Julian Alvarez,” Henry said back in May of last year.
“We’ve been talking about it. Putting pressure, playing alone, low, whatever you want to do. Did you see the free-kick he scored the other day? He can hold the ball long.
“He played at the Olympic Games, he played the Copa America. I don’t hear him saying ‘I’m tired, I’m not tired’. Hopefully nothing bad is going to happen to him, (but) he played everything. The way he plays, I just like him. Is it possible? I don’t know.”
Julian Alvarez’s record since leaving Man City
Many players go on to leave City and carve out hugely successful careers elsewhere.
Julian Alvarez is one of those players and he has been instrumental under Diego Simeone at Atletico.
Since leaving City, Alvarez is averaging nearly a goal every two games, with 40 in 85 appearances so far.
If you’re Andrea Berta and Julian Alvarez is offered to you for £87m, would you sign him?
Too much money or a big bargain?
What is also so impressive about Alvarez is he rarely misses games. He played 49 and 54 times in his last two seasons at City, before featuring 57 times for Atletico last term and already appearing 28 times this year.
In terms of robustness, quality, and a player who knows the Premier League already, Arsenal will struggle to find anyone better equipped than Alvarez.
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