Arsenal's Late Push for Julian Alvarez and Osimhen Talks

Arsenal have opened their Premier League campaign in style, but Mikel Arteta is refusing to stand still. A 3-0 win over newly-promoted Coventry City at the Emirates on Friday night underlined the champions’ authority. It did not cool their desire for another centre-forward.

Kai Havertz led the line and set the tone, breaking the deadlock before Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard added the gloss. Arsenal looked sharp, ruthless and in control.

Arteta still wants more.

Arsenal’s last throw for Alvarez

Julian Alvarez remains a priority target. The problem? The Argentine has already made it clear he does not want to return to England after leaving Manchester City for Barcelona in 2024.

That has not stopped Arsenal from launching what is being described in Spain as a last-ditch attempt to change his mind. According to SPORT, Atletico Madrid would rather sell Alvarez to Arsenal than strengthen direct rivals Barcelona, and the Gunners are testing that resolve with a huge proposal.

The report claims Arsenal are prepared to offer Victor Gyokeres plus €80 million (£68m) to bring Alvarez to north London. On top of that, they are said to be ready to hand the 26-year-old an annual salary of €25m (£21m), a package that would put him among the club’s highest earners and, by those accounts, roughly double his current wages.

It is an aggressive move for a player who has already signalled where he wants to play his football. Arsenal are effectively betting that money, status and the chance to lead the line for the Premier League champions can drag him back.

Osimhen talks as Plan B

Arsenal are not putting all their hopes on Alvarez. As that saga drags on, an alternative track has opened up.

Foot Mercato report that the club have started negotiations with Galatasaray over Victor Osimhen. The Nigerian striker’s name had already surfaced in discussions when the Turkish side were exploring deals for Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Martinelli, and he has since become a dominant force in Turkey, firing Galatasaray to back-to-back league titles.

That kind of output inevitably attracts Premier League attention. Tottenham are also credited with interest in the former Napoli star, adding a layer of rivalry to any move.

There is a catch. Osimhen’s current salary, reported at £17.1m, looms over any potential agreement. Any switch to Arsenal would almost certainly require the 27-year-old to accept a significant wage cut, or for the Gunners to rip up their existing pay structure.

Arteta has his champions scoring freely and his title defence up and running. The question now is whether Arsenal land the marquee striker they clearly crave—or head into the season relying on what they already have up front.