Julian Alvarez Update
If you remember, I stated there was another attacker I chose to keep anonymous. That player was indeed Julian Alvarez. The reason I said it was sensitive was because one of our players (Gyökeres) was potentially involved but let me just provide the facts for Arsenal fans. To my understanding the following statements are 100% factual.
• The players dream is Barca (personal terms agreed already)
• Barca have always wanted Julian to go public with his desire to force Atleti's position
• Atleti are adamant they will not to sell to Barca and would rather sell abroad but it wont stop Barca from trying
• PSG to my understanding left the race due to Campos / Enrique not wanting a player who doesn’t absolutely prioritise them but I wont be shocked if they return due to the players quality
• Julian has been a target for Arsenal since last summer
• After our group stage game Arteta made it clear we must atleast be in the race for the Argentine
• I can 100% confirm Atleti have interest in Viktor Gyökeres
• Andrea Berta has maintained contacts with the camp since last summer and has explored 'different structures & mechanisms' to bring Julian Alvarez to North London in the recent months…
• Reports about 'the English weather' being a reason Julian and his family would not return to England are absolutely false.
• The player would be very open to joining Arsenal and has directly told us should his dream to Barca become impossible
• Arsenal are yet to officially formalise their interest but Atleti are well aware of our interest.
The situation is chaotic but my role is to provide the absolute facts to the best of my knowledge in real time not predict the future. Its difficult enough tracking Berta and his 1000 spinning plates technique, its even harder when he silently speaks to ex-colleagues at Atleti with whom he has a lot of trust with but I have presented the facts. Genuinely feel a lot of relief talking about this all as its been exhausting to track for 14 months. I need to sleep now as I have been awake all night contacting sources 😂
Arsenal doing well to not be travelling this summer to Asia / America / Australia like some clubs, World Cup Year, short window for holidays for players, limited squads at start of the season, The lack of travelling and playing close to home is a good choice by the club to start its preparations for defence of the league.
🚨💣 EXCLUSIVE: Real Madrid reach verbal agreement to sign Marc Cucurella from Chelsea, HERE WE GO!
Verbal agreement in place between all parties, player too — he’s the left back wanted by Mourinho. Details to follow.
Cucurella leaves #CFC and joins Madrid after World Cup. ⚪️🇪🇸
🚨 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: Manchester City have made an offer of €𝟏𝟐𝟑 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍 for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, as first reported by @David_Ornstein ⚠️
The bid is worth £106M (€123M), with potential add-ons taking the total value to more than £120M (€140M) 😲
🚨 BREAKING from @GoldbergCFC:
Chelsea are definitely interested in signing Ethan Nwaneri. 🏴
The Blues had interest last summer and have RENEWED it now. 🔵
If Tzolis does not impact another LW signing, this according to @David_Ornstein, then I think Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli are on their way out.
🚨 @SamiMokbel_BBC:
Arsenal were offered Christos Tzolis. 🇬🇷
Sporting director Andrea Berta actively pursuing a £35m deal after assistant Maurizio Micheli watched the Greece international play vs Sweden last week. 🤝
Mikel Arteta on board with possible signing. 🇪🇸
Bradley Barcola Situation
• Moussa Sissoko has been trying to renew Bradley Barcola’s contract for the best part of 9-12 months. Talks have been difficult, and it reached a point where both parties agreed to put negotiations on hold so that Barcola and PSG could focus on important fixtures in April and May.
• Soon after the UEFA Champions League final, talks resumed and remain ongoing. The player reportedly told people close to him that he was disappointed not to start a number of important fixtures.
• PSG’s position is clear: renew or we will sell, as his contract expires in June 2028. Personally, I think that is a significant stance for the club to take.
• Barcola’s agent also represents Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué and maintains a good relationship with PSG. The club is also in serious talks regarding Yan Diomande and Maghnes Akliouche, which could further influence the situation surrounding Barcola.
Both Arsenal and Liverpool are interested, but I want to explain Arsenal’s side of the story.
• Andrea Berta made serious enquiries into Barcola’s situation last summer. At the time, Arsenal were informed that the player would stay for at least one more year. Since then, Berta has remained in constant contact with Sissoko and has made it clear that Barcola is of serious interest to Arsenal. He has also asked to be notified if PSG become open to a sale. Should Arsenal make an official approach towards PSG, there will be a further update.
• Arsenal also hold an interest in Morgan Rogers and one other player(sensitive info currently). More on that in due course.
• As always, Andrea Berta is willing to agree personal terms with multiple targets and make a move when the timing suits Arsenal.
Before I sign off, there is something worth noting. Berta is very happy for misinformation to circulate publicly. Berta & Co are busy behind the scenes, and many details remain unknown as Arsenal move silently.
Allow me to provide a free exclusive as an example of that which is unknown. Arsenal made standard checks on Nico Paz. Nico was reportedly left confused following a recent call with Mourinho, although another conversation may be scheduled. Arsenal have also made serious checks on Christos Tzolis, the Greek winger.
My point is that a great deal is happening behind the curtain. Embrace the silence and, as always, choose your sources of information carefully.
HandofArsenal
🚨 Arsenal exploring deal to sign Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge. 24yo left-sided winger expected to be gettable for ~€40m. Move for Greece international does not impact #AFC interest in Morgan Rogers or other options to strengthen attack @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/lBe1BINfU2