Julian Alvarez makes decision over Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd transfer | Football

Manchester United have joined Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea in the race to sign Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, according to reports in Spain.

Alvarez has been strongly linked with a return to England ahead of the summer transfer window after spending the last two seasons in Madrid.

Eyebrows were raised when Atletico agreed to spend over £80m on Alvarez, who was only a squad player at Manchester City.

But the Argentine enjoyed a productive first season under Diego Simeone, scoring 29 goals in all competitions.

Alvarez has been less effective this term, ending a run of 11 games without a goal with his 12th of the season in Atletico’s stunning 4-0 Copa del Rey win over Barcelona last week.

The 26-year-old World Cup winner remains one of the most highly-rated forwards in Europe, however, and is attracting interest from a number of top clubs ahead of the summer.

Arsenal and Chelsea have both been heavily linked with moves for Alvarez, who scored 36 goals across his two seasons at Man City, winning two Premier League titles, the Champions League and FA Cup.

Premier League leaders Arsenal signed Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting last summer but the Sweden international has had a mixed first season at the Emirates Stadium.

While he has started banging in the goals since the turn of the New Year, a number of pundits have questioned if he has the all-round game to lead the line for Arsenal.

Chelsea, meanwhile, spent almost £100m on Joao Pedro and Liam Delap last summer but are still believed to be interested in signing a new striker in the next transfer window.

According to Spanish outlet Sport, Manchester United have also registered an interest in signing ex-Manchester City forward Alvarez.

Doubts remain over £74m summer signing Benjamin Sesko despite his upturn in form since Ruben Amorim was sacked last month.

Alvarez is aware he is the subject of transfer interest from multiple Premier League giants but has made Barcelona his ‘preferred option’ should he leave Atletico Madrid.

Barca have been linked with a move for well over a year and reports in Spain say Alvarez would ‘welcome’ the chance to move to the Nou Camp.

A deal between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid is seen as ‘extremely complicated’, however, partly due to their La Liga rivalry but also because of his huge asking price, which is believed to stand at around £100m.

In response to the transfer rumours, Atletico have already started efforts to get Alvarez to sign a new contract and commit his long-term future to the club.

His current deal does not expire until the summer of 2030 but Atletico know a new contract extension would ‘put an end once and for all’ to speculation over Alvarez’s future.

Earlier this week ex-Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit urged the Gunners to sign ‘really special’ Alvarez, insisting it would be a ‘statement’.

‘When Julian Alvarez was playing for Manchester City, I really liked him,’ Petit told Ignition Casino. ‘He didn’t start every single game but every time he played for City, and for Atletico as well since, he has been really special.

‘He can score goals and give assists, but he’s got temper, personality, and character. I think in terms of movement he is very intelligent.

‘Physically as well, he’s a top player and technically, he’s got everything to suit the best clubs in Europe.

‘The reason why he left City was because he wanted to play regular football, but I think Pep Guardiola would be very happy to have him back in the squad.

‘So definitely, if Arsenal have a chance to get him, with the connection with the Spanish players and the way they play up front, I think that would be great news for Arsenal.

‘That would be a very, very good addition to the squad and a statement.’

Atletico Madrid face Club Brugge in the Champions League play-offs on Wednesday night before returning to La Liga action this weekend against Espanyol.

Atletico and Simeone’s title hopes are already all but over, with the club slipping 14 points behind La Liga leaders and local rivals Real Madrid with 14 games remaining.

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