Glen Johnson tells Chelsea to hijack move for ‘perfect’ Arsenal transfer target | Football

Former Chelsea defender Glen Johnson has urged his old side to swoop for Arsenal target Julian Alvarez, believing he would be a ‘perfect’ addition at Stamford Bridge.

Atletico Madrid are determined to hold onto the Argentina international this summer, blasting Barcelona for their public pursuit of the striker last week.

The Madrid side have insisted they will not do business with the Catalan giants this summer but will also have to fend off interest from the Gunners.

After their Premier League title success, Arsenal want to keep strengthening this summer with Alvarez regarded as a dream signing to further bolster their front line with Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi another option being considered.

Arsenal have already been in contact with Alvarez’s agent while Chelsea were also credited with interest in the former Manchester City star earlier this year.

Joao Pedro finished his first campaign in west London with an impressive haul of 20 goals in all competitions but Chelsea were short elsewhere with Liam Delap managing just two all season.

After a wretched 10^th place finish, Xabi Alonso is now in place to lift the club from their slump with Johnson eager to see the Blues bring in another proven goal scorer.

‘Signing a striker should be priority number one for Chelsea this summer.’ Johnson told Football.London.

‘You can’t compete at the top of the Premier League without an out-and-out striker scoring 20 goals a season, and Chelsea don’t have someone of that description at the moment.

‘Those are the types of players you need to drag you through games when you’re poor, to score a goal out of nothing so you win games instead of drawing to opposition you should be beating if you want to compete.’

Despite Pedro’s impressive haul, Johnson believes a natural no9 is required with Alvarez perfectly fitting the bill.

‘I think Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid would be perfect. He seems like he’s on the move this summer and that’s exactly the type of player Chelsea need to go out and snap up,’ Johnson explained.

‘He’s a great player, his work ethic is absolutely through the roof, and he’s a perfectly well-rounded striker.

‘He has proven in the past he can score goals in the Premier League during his time at Man City, and if they could do a sensible deal, offering someone the other way, for example, then that would be a brilliant signing.

‘Chelsea fans would be buzzing with seeing him coming through the door.’

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