Barcelona are moving fast for two players Arsenal want and it could force the Gunners’ hand

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Barcelona are closing in on two players who are also targeted by Arsenal.

The Catalan giants are aiming to get their summer business done early and it could ignite the Gunners’ own transfer activity.

First, Anthony Gordon. David Ornstein has confirmed that Barcelona have reached an agreement with Newcastle United to sign the England winger for €80 million (£69.3 million), with personal terms also agreed.

Gordon had been tracked by Arsenal long-term as a potential left-sided addition, and Bayern Munich were widely considered frontrunners before ultimately balking at the fee.

Barcelona have since swooped in and have seemingly won the race.

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The Gordon deal has immediate knock-on consequences for Marcus Rashford — another name linked with Arsenal.

Barcelona hold a €30 million option to sign the Manchester United forward permanently, which expires on June 15, but with Gordon now arriving at Camp Nou, that option is unlikely to be triggered.

With Rashford’s future once again unresolved, could we see him make a shock switch to the Emirates Stadium?

How Barcelona’s pursuit of Julian Alvarez could force Arsenal’s hand

The second and more significant target is Julian Alvarez.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Barcelona are preparing their first official bid for the Atletico Madrid striker, with Alvarez having already informed the club of his desire to leave after rejecting a new deal.

According to The Independent, PSG have also made a more direct pitch, and seem willing to meet Atletico’s €125 million asking price.

Arsenal want Alvarez too. Mikel Arteta is a known admirer and Andrea Berta’s existing relationship with Atletico gives the Gunners an advantage in negotiations.

But with Barcelona and PSG both moving quickly, the Gunners need to accelerate their own pursuit if they are serious about obtaining Alvarez.

Besides Alvarez, Arsenal are seriously interested in Morgan Rogers, who will provide a versatile attacking threat for Arteta.

Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi is also firmly on the radar, and reports indicate that both could end up at Arsenal if Alvarez is unattainable.