Alan Shearer Says Signing Julian Alvarez Would Hand Arsenal the Premier League Title
Former England striker Alan Shearer believes Arsenal have a genuine opportunity to hijack Julian Alvarez’s move away from Atletico Madrid, arguing that signing the Argentine forward before the transfer deadline could effectively hand the Gunners the Premier League title.
Alvarez has been strongly linked with a move to Barcelona in recent weeks, but the transfer has grown increasingly complicated following reports of Atletico Madrid’s reluctance to sell one of their star players to a direct domestic rival. Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Shearer explained that this tension between the two Spanish clubs could open a narrow window for Arsenal to step in and complete a deal instead. “We’ve heard of a lot of pushing from Barcelona and the reluctance from Atletico,” Shearer said. “It seems like their thinking might be, ‘If we have to sell, we’re not selling to you [Barca].’ There’s just maybe a small opportunity or a small window there for Arsenal to nab him, you would think. And if they do, it’s done, by the way [the Premier League title race].”
Fellow pundit Micah Richards echoed Shearer’s assessment on the same podcast, indicating he would pursue a striker signing if he were in Arsenal’s position, citing the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Alvarez’s situation at Atletico Madrid.
Reports suggest Alvarez has softened his earlier preference for a move to Camp Nou and could now be open to a switch to north London instead, should Arsenal formally enter the race. The forward’s situation at Atletico Madrid appeared to worsen further on Sunday evening, when he was heavily jeered by his own club’s supporters during a Liga draw with Villarreal, reflecting growing frustration among fans over his desire to force through a move to Barcelona.
Since joining Atletico Madrid from Manchester City for £82 million, Alvarez has established himself as one of the most productive forwards in Spanish football, scoring 49 goals in 107 appearances across two seasons and helping the club to back-to-back league titles during his time in England prior to his departure from City. At Manchester City, his progress had been limited by the presence of Erling Haaland, prompting his eventual move to Spain.
Arsenal, meanwhile, head into the closing stages of the transfer window still exploring potential attacking reinforcements, following a mixed debut season from £64 million signing Viktor Gyokeres at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners opened their new Premier League campaign in strong fashion, beating Coventry 3-0 at home, with goals from Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, as manager Mikel Arteta looks to build on last season’s title-winning form.
With just days remaining before the transfer window closes, reports indicate Arsenal remain alert to developments in the Alvarez saga, with some reports pointing to secret meetings taking place as the club considers whether to formally pursue what Shearer describes as a potential title-clinching addition to Arteta’s squad.
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