Gabriel Heinze the secrete weapon to secure Arsenal transfer – Gunners work on record deal

Arsenal, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are battling for Atlético Madrid’s Julián Alvarez. 

On April 13th, Sport Witness relayed news of the Gunners making an offer to sign the 26-year-old. There was no mention of the details of that proposal.

Later that month, we covered claims from Spain he’s opened the door for exit and prefers a move to Barca. However, Arsenal and PSG aren’t willing to give up.

Earlier this week, Atlético manager Diego Simone said it’s normal that Arsenal, Barcelona and PSG want the striker.

Alvarez arrived at the Madrid club from Manchester City in August 2024 and has been their first choice No.9. He’s scored 20 goals and contributed nine assists from 48 matches this season.

His La Liga stats are as follows:

• Appearances: 29
• Starts: 22
• Total minutes: 1,902
• Goals: 8
• Assists: 4
• Expected Goals: 7.70
• Expected Assists: 5.13
• Big chances created: 10
• Big chances missed: 8

Update from Argentina on Arsenal

Julián Alvarez scored the equaliser in Atlético Madrid’s 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the Champions League semifinal on Wednesday.

The Argentina international picked up an injury in the same tie and there’s no concern of a serious issue.

La Nación now points that out before covering the latest on the Gunners’ desire to secure his services.

Mikel Arteta’s side plan to make a move to bring the frontman to the Emirates. They are aware other clubs including Barcelona and PSG are keen, but have decided to pursue him for the summer. The Gunners know a fee of around €100m is needed to beat competition.

Since the start of this year, the Premier League side’s coaching staff have been collecting data on his ‘injury history, physiological parameters and productivity’.

There’s a ‘confidential report’ ‘tracking the player’s every move’ and Arteta’s assistant Gabriel Heinze has a ‘lot to do with it’.

At the Emirates, there’s firm belief the World Cup winner is a perfect fit for their attack. Beyond the sporting needs, his personality also appeals them.

The newspaper state: ‘Arteta prioritises ‘footballers with strong family ties and the ability to remain humble in the face of fame,’ values ​​that Julián’s entourage confirmed during his time in Manchester. All of this, of course, is part of a detailed report.’

Our take: Arsenal to go ahead

The report gives an insight into the analysis carried out by Arsenal after collecting data on Julián Alvarez since January.

After a thorough analysis, everything indicates the Gunners will make a concrete move. However, it’s unclear whether the former Manchester City man wants to return to the Premier League in the next window.