Alvarez on Arsenal’s wish list; Gunners Sign New Italian Sensation

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Arsenal are discussing Julian Alvarez’s move as the club abruptly searches for a full-time striker before the Premier League season commences. 

Since arriving in the Premier League from River Plate in 2022, the Argentine has been second fiddle to striker Erling Haaland. His future plunges into doubt after he reveals he could leave for a more important role at a club.

Like the fans with Arsenal tickets wanted, Arsenal wants in on the striker signing. 

“Last season, I was one of the players with the most minutes at City,” the forward said. “But… in the end, you don’t like being left out of important matches; you want to contribute.

“I’ll take my time to think about what I want for myself. We will see after the Games. First, I will take a few days off. Then we will decide.”

The Gunners have been left on red alert, and while another big-money signing isn’t forthcoming, that could change if the World Cup and Copa America winner becomes available. Meanwhile, rumors from the Etihad suggest that the City would demand a deal, including add-ons, of around £ 80 million for Alvarez, which may be too steep for Arsenal.

However, if Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson follow Emile Smith Rowe out of the club, they would have the funds to offer City a significant bid. Guardiola believes he will always keep an unhappy player from leaving.

But he has clarified that Alvarez is still part of his plans for the new season. After their 4-2 friendly win over Chelsea, Guardiola said: “He’s our player. He will come back. I count on him.

“But he said in the news that decisions would be made together. Now he has to rest, and when he feels ready to return, he will return. I’m sure when he comes back, I’ll hug and congratulate him on the Copa America at the Olympics, and we will start to work together. 

This is the reality.

“What happens in the meantime If we are ready? I have a thousand million things to think about the team. Next week, we will play for the first trophy of the season. In two weeks, we play at Stamford Bridge again; that’s my only concern.”

As the fans with Arsenal tickets know, Arsenal is a regular buyer with Manchester City, including key signings such as Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus in the past. 

However, the last striker that City gave to Arsenal did not work out as Jesus was more or less injured than playing. 

Mikel Merino Done Deal? 

According to Spanish reports, Arsenal is close to finalizing a €30 million (£25.3m) deal with Real Sociedad for Mikel Merino.

The fans with Arsenal tickets believe that the signing of David Raya as a permanent deal was a good start to the summer transfer window, and this signing of Riccardo bolsters their confidence. 

Mikel Arteta is also keen to strengthen his midfield options, and last season’s Premier League runners-up reportedly held talks with Paris Saint-Germain for Fabian Ruiz.

However, according to Relevo, Arsenal is in the advanced stages of signing another one of Spain’s Euro 2024 stars, as Merino is close to a move to the Premier League.

The report claims that Arsenal and Real Sociedad have agreed on an initial €30m (£25.3m) fee plus add-ons for Merino, and an announcement is expected within the next few days.

Real Sociedad are already planning for Merino’s departure and are in talks to sign PSG midfielder Carlos Soler.

In the final year of his contract with Real Sociedad, Merino has also attracted strong interest from Barcelona.

Speaking this week, Real Sociedad’s president, Jokin Aperribay, opened the door for Merino to leave the club.

‘I think Mikel has been very honest with Real. He has had a renewal offer for a year, and if he hasn’t renewed, it’s because he didn’t want to tell the Real fans that I’m staying and then leaving, and I think that speaks well of him,’ Jokin Aperribay said.

‘I would like him not to leave, we all would, but if he tells us that he accepts one of the offers he has on the table and wants us to negotiate, we will do so.

‘We know he has them, and we also know them. But now, we hope Mikel Merino will stay at Real.

‘We would like it to be his decision, but if not, we will try to negotiate a better way for him to leave Real Sociedad.’

New Italian Signing For Arsenal 

Arsenal have completed the signing of defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna in a deal worth £42m.

The 22-year-old, who can play at center-back or left-back, has signed a five-year contract with the Gunners until 2029. He further strengthened a defensive unit that conceded only 29 goals and kept 18 clean sheets in the Premier League.

There were other Premier League clubs, such as Juventus and Real Madrid, who tried to sign the Italy international this month. There were bids from other clubs in the last two weeks, but Calafiori only wanted a move to Arsenal and said he would join Mikel Arteta’s side.

Arsenal were understood to be impressed by his desire to join the club, which was strengthened in conversations with manager Arteta and sporting director Edu.

In a press huddle on Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the USA, Calafiori said: “I spoke for almost two months with the coach and with Edu. They tried to convince me, but I was already convinced to come here. It is the best project I can have as a player.

“I have this good feeling. I cannot explain it, but you’ll see on the pitch that it was the right choice.”

When asked if he had been told if he would play at left-back or center-back, the Italian added: “We didn’t speak a lot about the role; I just want to play and improve. It’s about the team, which is a necessity we have. I can play in different positions; I don’t care; I want to play.”

Calafiori becomes Arsenal’s second major summer signing after the £27m arrival of goalkeeper David Raya.

Arsenal tickets for the new season are now available to purchase. 

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