Arsenal in three-way fight for Julian Alvarez, Diego Simeone confirms

Arsenal want to sign Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, head coach Diego Simeone has claimed on the eve of their Champions League semi-final.

Alvarez, 26, has scored 20 times across 52 appearances for Atleti this season and is due to line up against the Gunners in the opening leg of their last-four clash at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Wednesday.

Alvarez has been linked with a move to north London and when asked about Arsenal’s possible interest in the former Manchester City striker, Simeone replied: “I am not in Julian Alvarez’s head.

“I just suppose it is normal. He is an extraordinary player. There is interest from Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and other teams. But it is nothing we are concerned about.”

Arsenal signed Viktor Gyokeres for £64million last summer and, despite hitting 18 goals so far in his debut campaign, he has struggled for consistency.

Gyokeres was benched for Arsenal’s top-of-the-table clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium earlier this month, and then again in their following fixture at home to Newcastle last weekend.

However, Kai Havertz picked up an injury in the opening half of Arsenal’s win, and he did not train at London Colney on Tuesday, meaning Gyokeres will likely start in Madrid.

Eberechi Eze was also unable to continue against Newcastle, but in a boost to Mikel Arteta, did join his team-mates for training.

After seeing off Tottenham in the round of 16, Atleti beat Barcelona to secure their place in the semi-finals. But Simeone’s side have lost six of their last nine games.

Like Arsenal, Atleti have never won the Champions League, and Simeone continued; “In terms of pressure, I don’t feel the pressure and it is exciting to be as close as we are and we have never achieved it before.

“It is a special excitement. Leadership defines these games and we need to be ready and take the game to where we believe we can punish them. We will have a very tough game, against a fantastic rival and we are very excited about it.”

Atleti captain Koke, whose contract expires at the end of the season, is set for his fourth and possibly last Champions League semi-final, with the Spanish club.

He said: “In the lead-up to these games, we are always excited. We feel butterflies in our stomach. It is just like a first date. Then once you start warming up it is all gone, it is just a football game, and you would be as excited as you would be for any semi-final.

“We expect a very strong Arsenal side and this is a Champions League semi-final and that is how we approach it.”