Arsenal must strike now to sign transformational player after bombshell exit request

Arsenal should move now to sign Andrea Berta's dream target as a prickly situation begins to play out in the Spanish capital. The Gunners will be carefully considering their options this summer as they look to fine-tune their title-winning squad.

Mikel Arteta has a few areas he wants to improve, with the left-wing role the priority, while some of the depth players will likely need to be replaced, but wholesale changes are, of course, out of the question, given the quality and depth this squad has.

Arsenal have striker dilemma

One area Arteta will be considering strengthening is the striker role, and it's a move that could happen naturally, given Gabriel Jesus will likely depart.

And with that knowledge, it may be wise for Arsenal to add a genuinely strong option there, rather than a depth player. Arsenal are hoping Viktor Gyokeres turns into a true goalscorer at the Emirates Stadium, but while the Swedish striker has done well, Arteta needs more from him in front of goal.

Adding a natural goalscorer could light a fire under Gyokeres and ensure Arsenal get the best out of him and Kai Havertz, and there is one clear candidate.

Alvarez could become available

Atletico Madrid superstar Julian Alvarez could now become available after some controversial comments after Argentina's latest World Cup game.

"I spoke with people at the club, with those I had to speak with and the best thing for everyone is ‌a transfer and I want to fulfil my dream," Alvarez said. "It's not the time to talk about this, but I also can't hide ⁠it. I try to ⁠be an honest person."

Alvarez has since been criticised by Atletico's CEO for those comments, both for making conversations public and for doing it while attention should have been on Argentina.

It has also been denied that Atletico will facilitate a move, and the Spanish club seem to be against a sale for now, but they are almost certainly ruling out a sale to any other Spanish club amid a public tangle with Real Madrid and Barcelona over Alvarez already this summer.

That doesn't mean there won't be a sale with a club abroad, though, and Alvarez could be interested, given he likely wants to join a club that is ready to compete for league titles and the Champions League.

Arsenal chief Berta is a huge fan of Alvarez, and he was actually the man responsible for signing him at Atletico, convincing the Spanish club to spend their second-highest ever transfer fee to lure the Argentine from Manchester City.

Alvarez has been a hit, finding the net consistently, scoring 20 goals during the season just gone, and he is the type of player Arsenal need to take the next step in their evolution.

The Gunners need a killer forward who scores wherever you put him - a forward who does not rely on the system putting him in the right positions. Alvarez finds those positions and forces himself into them, and he is undoubtedly one of the best forwards on the planet currently.

A deal would be incredibly expensive, but if Arsenal are going to sign a forward this season, then Alvarez, who can play up top or on the wing, is the man worth shelling out for. Now is the time to strike, too, with Atletico pundits already saying Alvarez will not be welcome back, and ti seems the player is ready to force his way out this summer.

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