Manchester United have joined Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea within the race to sign Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, based on 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.
However 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 and not using a goal along with his twelfth of the season in Atletico’s stunning 4-0 Copa del Rey win over Barcelona last week.
The 26-year-old World Cup winner stays one of the highly-rated forwards in Europe, nonetheless, and is attracting interest from numerous top clubs ahead of the summer.
Arsenal and Chelsea have each 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.
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Premier League leaders Arsenal signed Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting last summer however the Sweden international has had a mixed first season on the Emirates Stadium.
While he has began banging within the goals for the reason that turn of the Recent Yr, numerous pundits have questioned if he has the all-round game to steer the road for Arsenal.
Chelsea, meanwhile, spent almost £100m on Joao Pedro and Liam Delap last summer but are still believed to be all for signing a brand new striker in the following transfer window.
Based on 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’s the topic 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 12 months and reports in Spain say Alvarez would ‘welcome’ the prospect to maneuver to the Nou Camp.
A deal between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid is seen as ‘extremely complicated’, nonetheless, partly resulting from their La Liga rivalry but additionally due to his huge asking price, which is believed to face at around £100m.
In response to the transfer rumours, Atletico have already began efforts to get Alvarez to sign a brand new contract and commit his long-term future to the club.
His current deal doesn’t expire until the summer of 2030 but Atletico know a brand 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 will be a ‘statement’.
‘When Julian Alvarez was playing for Manchester City, I actually liked him,’ Petit told Ignition Casino. ‘He didn’t start each game but each time he played for City, and for Atletico as well since, he has been really special.
‘He can rating goals and provides assists, but he’s got temper, personality, and character. I feel by way of movement he could be very intelligent.
‘Physically as well, he’s a top player and technically, he’s got every thing to suit the most effective clubs in Europe.
‘The rationale why he left City was because he desired to play regular football, but I feel Pep Guardiola could be very completely happy to have him back within the squad.
‘So definitely, if Arsenal have a likelihood to get him, with the reference to the Spanish players and the way in which they play up front, I feel that will be great news for Arsenal.
‘That may be a really, superb addition to the squad and a press release.’
Atletico Madrid face Club Brugge within the Champions League play-offs on Wednesday night before returning to La Liga motion 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 native rivals Real Madrid with 14 games remaining.
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