The World Cup has a habit of changing transfer sagas overnight. And right now, Julián Álvarez is doing everything he can to remind Europe’s biggest clubs why he’s worth the hype.
Paul Scholes, never one to mince words, has urged Arsenal to get the deal done. Speaking on ‘The Good, The Bad & The Football’ podcast, the Manchester United legend made his stance crystal clear.
“If Atletico Madrid want £100m, any big club needs to go and get him. Just go and get him. There’s not even a debate.”
That’s about as emphatic as it gets. But is Scholes right? And can Arsenal actually pull it off?
Álvarez’s World Cup Is Only Making Things Harder
Argentina’s quarter-final win over Switzerland will live long in the memory. The match looked headed for a stalemate until Álvarez produced a stunning strike from outside the box in the 112th minute, sealing a 3-1 extra-time victory.
It was his first goal of the 2026 World Cup. But it wasn’t just any goal. It was a reminder of exactly what makes him so dangerous.
He doesn’t just score. He presses relentlessly, drifts between lines, and creates havoc for defenders who can’t pin him down. Scholes touched on this too.
“I don’t think there’s loads of top-class centre-forwards knocking about. I don’t see him as an out-and-out centre-forward, he’s more of a drifter.”
That versatility is precisely what appeals to Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal’s Pursuit: Closer Than You Think?
Here’s where it gets interesting. According to TEAMtalk, Atlético Madrid have effectively given Arsenal a green light. The Spanish club won’t sell Álvarez to Barcelona or Real Madrid, which narrows the field considerably.
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta — who actually signed Álvarez for Atlético before joining the Gunners — has held direct talks with the player. Reports from The Independent suggest Arsenal want to finalise a deal before pre-season begins on July 20.
There are a few key factors at play:
- Atlético refuse to strengthen La Liga rivals Barcelona or Real Madrid
- Berta has a personal relationship with Álvarez from their shared time in Madrid
- Arsenal are the reigning Premier League champions and can offer Champions League football
- Álvarez himself has publicly said a transfer is “the best thing for everyone”
But there’s a catch. Multiple outlets, including Sky Sports and FootballTransfers, report that Álvarez’s preference remains Barcelona. He reportedly doesn’t want to return to England after leaving Manchester City in 2024. That’s a significant hurdle.
Scholes, though, thinks the numbers should ease any hesitation. He pointed to Elliot Anderson’s £116m move from Nottingham Forest to Manchester City as context.
“Elliot Anderson has just gone for £116m — and Alvarez is a match-winner. What a signing that would be.”
It’s hard to argue with the logic. Álvarez posted 20 goals and 9 assists across all competitions for Atlético in 2025-26. He set a club record with 10 Champions League goals in a single season. He’s won the World Cup, the Copa América (twice), the Champions League, and two Premier League titles. He’s 26.
Can Arsenal Close the Deal?
Former United midfielder Nicky Butt added another layer to the conversation. He believes Álvarez would form an ideal partnership with Viktor Gyökeres, the striker Arsenal signed last summer.
“He would be a perfect partner for an out-and-out centre-forward like Viktor Gyokeres.”
That pairing could genuinely redefine Arsenal’s attack. Gyökeres scored 21 goals in his debut Premier League season but often looked isolated. A player like Álvarez, who thrives in the spaces around the main striker, could be the missing piece.
Still, this deal hinges on one thing: whether Álvarez changes his mind about England. Atlético are willing. Arsenal are pushing. The fee — reportedly around £100m — isn’t the issue in today’s market. It comes down to the player.
Argentina face England in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday. If Álvarez lights up that stage too, his price will only climb higher. Arsenal might want to move fast — before someone else does.
