Arsenal beat Atletico Madrid in the Champions League this week in what may go down as one of the greatest nights in the history of the Emirates.
However, there may also be one negative to take away from the game.
Indeed, a situation that unfolded during the game may well affect Arsenal’s summer transfer plans.
Arsenal’s reported interest in Julian Alvarez already looked difficult because of the financial side of the deal and Atletico Madrid’s reluctance to sell. After this week’s Champions League clash, though, the situation may have become even more complicated.
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Andrea Berta’s touchline confrontation with Diego Simeone may affect Julian Alvarez deal
Towards the end of of Arsenal’s game against Atletico Madrid, there was a bit of a touchline scuffle.
As ever, Diego Simeone was at the heart of things, but, interestingly, Arsenal Sporting Director, Andrea Berta got involved.
Berta, will, of course, play a major role in Arsenal’s transfer negotiations this summer, and if the club seriously pursue Alvarez this time around, Berta will be central to those talks. That is why any tension with Simeone matters.
Even small disagreements can complicate negotiations.
Simeone is hugely influential at Atletico Madrid and remains one of the most powerful figures at the club. If relations are strained between him and Berta after their exchange during the Champions League game, it creates another obstacle in what was already likely to be a difficult negotiation.
Berta used to work for Atletico Madrid, which means there are already complicated dynamics involved. When former executives return to negotiate for key players, emotions and internal politics often become part of the process. That relationship was already delicate, but the recent touchline incident only adds more tension.
For Arsenal, that is not ideal.
Alvarez is not a player Atletico would want to lose easily. He is viewed as a major part of their attack and someone capable of leading the line for years. If Arsenal want to test Atletico’s resolve, they need negotiations to be smooth and constructive.
The timing is unfortunate because Alvarez continues to look like a perfect fit for Arsenal’s attack. His pressing, movement and versatility would suit Mikel Arteta’s style perfectly, and there is a growing feeling that Arsenal still need another elite forward despite Viktor Gyokeres’ recent improvement.
However, transfer deals are often about relationships as much as money – as Arsenal know only too well.
Let’s not forget, Arsenal have done plenty of deals with allies in recent years, two of Mikel Arteta’s key early signings were Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from former club Manchester City, while Arteta’s ties to Real Sociedad have helped deals for the likes of Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi go through.
Berta’s relationship with Atletico Madrid may well be strained at this point, and that could make a deal for Alvarez more complicated.
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