Paul Merson just backed Andrea Berta’s dream Arsenal move

Arsenal have another big summer ahead as they look to plot a Premier League title defence, but not before the Champions League final this weekend, The Gunners will have the chance to win their first-ever Champions League title, although the juggernaut that is PSG stands in their way.

After that game, when everyone else's focus turns to the World Cup, Arsenal will begin to focus on recruitment and how they can set themselves up for a successful title defence. And Paul Merson believes that recruitment should begin with Atlético Madrid star Julián Alvarez.

Paul Merson backs Alvarez pursuit

Speaking to the Metro this week, Arsenal legend Merson backed a move for Alvarez, saying: "I would get a centre forward this summer, I would go for Julián Alvarez. I’m a big fan. If they could get him I would. I still think they probably need another midfield player as well."

It's going to be an interesting summer for Arsenal when it comes to recruitment. For the first time in what seems like forever, it's not particularly clear where the Gunners need to strengthen.

Arguments can be made for different positions, of course, but there aren't many glaring weaknesses in this team. Many would argue the striker position could do with better competition, although Mikel Arteta remains a big fan of Kai Havertz.

But much of the business could be replacing non-starters who may be lured away with the promise of starts elsewhere. As for the striker pursuit, there is no hiding the transfer that sporting chief Andrea Berta dreams about.

Berta is a huge fan of Atlético Madrid star Alvarez, who he signed back when he worked for Atleti. That was a bold deal from Berta, who spent 95million euros to sign the Argentine from Manchester City.

But Alvarez has beeb superb in Spain, scoring 49 goals and assisting 17 in 106 appearances across all competitions. That form has seen his value surge, and Arsenal know they will have to pay a huge fee to snatch the versatile forward from the Spanish capital.

Given the lack of needs throughout their squad this summer, it's not out of the question that the Gunners pull off a blockbuster marquee signing. But signing Alvarez may cause some complications, given the big money spent on Viktor Gyökeres last summer, and indeed Arteta's admiration for Havertz.

Alvarez can play across the front line, but his scoring form with Atleti would make it a huge surprise if Arsenal were to spend so much to play him somewhere other than his best position.

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