Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta reportedly prioritises Julian Alvarez as the club prepares for next season and the transfer window.
Atletico Madrid signed the Argentina international from Manchester City last summer while Berta still worked for the Spanish club.
Now, 12 months later, the Italian is in north London, and his new club are reputedly interested in reuniting him with the World Cup winner.
Alvarez, however, has a contract with Atletico that runs until 2030 and has a reported €150 million (£125m) release clause.
That price is around £30m more than the club-record €95m (£82m) deal they ultimately agreed with Man City.
Marca, the Madrid-based tabloid sports newspaper, describes Arsenal as the most likely contender and strongest bidder for the services of Alvarez.
Liverpool are the other English club credited with an interest in the centre-forward, with the Reds said to have sounded out signing him.
However, a return to the Premier League seemingly is not something Alvarez is keen on. He is said to feel more comfortable in La Liga and Madrid after becoming one of the standout players in Spain over the last year.
“I felt like I needed a change in my career and a new challenge,” he said upon signing for Atleti last year. “I feel like this club gives me the space and tools to reach my best as a footballer.”
Barcelona are the other club who reportedly have Alvarez on their radar. However, there is an acknowledgement that their financial situation would rule out any move this season.
Instead, he is purportedly seen as a possible successor to Robert Lewandowski in the summer of 2026. That is when their current striker’s contract expires, albeit there is an option to extend that deal by another year.
Atletico, though, seemingly have no interest in selling Alvarez less than a year after his arrival. Instead, they intend to strengthen the team around their talisman rather than sell to sign another one.
However, if any club are to sign the striker, then Arsenal, led by Berta, appear the most likely to.
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