Arteta makes a personal intervention
Arsenal have launched a late attempt to sign Julián Álvarez from Atlético Madrid after agreeing deals to sell Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Fábio Vieira for a combined total exceeding £70 million.
Mikel Arteta has personally spoken to the former Manchester City forward, but the intervention has apparently failed to change his preferred destination.
According to The Guardian, Álvarez has informed Arsenal that he wants to join Barcelona. Atlético, however, do not want to strengthen a direct Spanish rival and are attempting to keep the 26-year-old.
That has left Arsenal in an unusual position. The Premier League champions have created room in their attack and raised substantial funds, but their leading target appears more interested in a club facing familiar financial restrictions.
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Arsenal may nevertheless be helping Barcelona manage those restrictions.
Jesus arrives as the affordable alternative
Barcelona have agreed to sign Jesus for approximately £8.6 million. Arsenal granted the Brazilian permission to travel for his medical after he fell behind Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyökeres in Arteta’s plans.
The price matters. Barcelona required a centre-forward after Robert Lewandowski’s departure but could not currently complete the significantly more expensive purchase of Álvarez.
Jesus provides an affordable solution without ending Barcelona’s longer-term interest in the Argentine. Mundo Deportivo reported that the Brazilian’s arrival should not be interpreted as an alternative to Álvarez beyond the immediate window.
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The inexpensive deal will also allow Barcelona to register goalkeeper Dominik Livaković under La Liga’s financial rules.
There is no evidence that Arsenal deliberately accepted a low price to assist Barcelona, nor that the money saved on Jesus will be used for Álvarez. The combined effect, however, is difficult to ignore.
Arsenal’s strange transfer paradox
Arsenal are asking Álvarez to abandon his preferred destination while simultaneously supplying that destination with an experienced forward on favourable terms.
Barcelona can solve their immediate problem with Jesus, register another new player and preserve more financial flexibility than an expensive striker purchase would have allowed. They can then return for Álvarez when Atlético become more willing to negotiate.
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Arsenal, meanwhile, are losing Martinelli to Al-Hilal for £56 million and Jesus to the club Álvarez wants to represent. If their late pursuit fails, Arteta will have significantly reduced his attacking options without securing his principal replacement.
Selling Jesus may have been financially sensible. Viewed alongside the battle for Álvarez, however, Arsenal’s bargain agreement risks looking like assistance offered to the rival they most need to weaken.
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