Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants to convert Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez into a left winger for next season.
Arsenal Make Contact for Alvarez — Arteta Sees Him as Left Winger, Not Striker
The Gunners plan to strengthen their left flank this summer, with at least one departure likely.
Leandro Trossard enters the final year of his contract in July, and Arsenal could show him the exit door.
Gabriel Martinelli has a 12-month extension option on his deal expiring next year, but the club might sell him for the right price.
Arsenal have already contacted Alvarez’s representatives, according to Football Transfers. Arteta does not see the Argentine as a primary centre-forward.
Instead, he envisions him operating from the left wing a position that has caused problems for Arsenal in 2026.
Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona also want the World Cup winner. A deal could cost more than £87 million, a figure that likely places Alvarez beyond Barcelona’s reach this summer.
Arsenal boosted their frontline last summer with Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres. Madueke and Eze have had occasional outings on the left but failed to impress.
Madueke naturally plays on the right, while Eze prefers a central attacking midfield role.
Trossard and Martinelli contributed regularly from the left in the first half of the campaign, but their form has dipped in recent months.
Trossard scored a dramatic winner at West Ham last weekend his first goal for the club since December.
Alvarez has spent most of his career as a striker, netting 20 goals and providing nine assists leading Atletico’s line this season.
He has featured only six times as a left winger in his entire career, according to Transfermarkt, registering six goal contributions from that position.
The Argentine, whom FIFA’s official website describes as ‘world-class’, also plays as an attacking midfielder or right winger. His quick dribbling and chance creation suggest he can adapt to Arteta’s plan.
However, the key question remains: would Alvarez accept a left-wing role at Arsenal when PSG could offer him a leading striker position for 2026/27 and beyond?
