\n<\/p>\n
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Barcelona \u201cwould love to sign\u201d Arsenal transfer target Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid this summer.<\/p>\n
The Gunners beat Newcastle 1-0 on Saturday to go back to the top of the Premier League with Manchester City engaged in FA Cup semi-final action.<\/p>\n
Arsenal<\/strong> are now three points ahead of second-placed Man City, although the Citizens have a game in hand, heading into the final run-in and Mikel Arteta\u2019s side will be hoping to cling on to top spot to give them a boost ahead of the summer.<\/p>\n Whatever happens, Arsenal \u2013 who play Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday night \u2013 are already putting transfer plans in place for the summer.<\/p>\n Viktor Gyokeres signed for the Gunners in the summer transfer window from Sporting CP but the Sweden international has not quite lived up to expectations this season.<\/p>\n Kai Havertz started ahead of him against Newcastle on Saturday and Arsenal are looking to sign a new striker in the summer to compete with the Swede.<\/p>\n READ: <\/span>Arsenal title plan has slight flaw as Arteta aims to go Invincible in \u2018new league\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n Barcelona have also been heavily linked with Alvarez and some reports have insisted that the Catalan giants are now ahead of the Gunners in the race to sign the former Manchester City striker.<\/p>\n There have been claims that the Atletico Madrid striker has asked his brothers to scout out houses in the Barcelona area ahead of a potential summer move.<\/p>\n However, Alvarez\u2019s agent, Fernando Hidalgo, insists that those rumours are \u201c1,000 per cent false\u201d in a boost to Arsenal\u2019s chances of signing the Argentina international.<\/p>\n Hidalgo told Sports World<\/em>: \u201c1,000 per cent false. No one in the family has been in Barcelona. The last time was for the match against Atletico, and they returned to Madrid the next day.\u201d<\/p>\n Adding to the comments from Alvarez\u2019s agent, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said on his YouTube channel:\u00a0\u201cIt is being reported that Alvarez has already spoken to Hansi Flick, that he is already looking for a house in Barcelona, and that he has agreed terms.<\/p>\n \u201cI can guarantee that nothing will develop on the Julian Alvarez story in the next few days because Atletico Madrid are preparing for a Champions League semi-final.<\/p>\n MORE ARSENAL COVERAGE ON F365\u2026<\/strong> \u201cAlvarez does not want any distraction. Everything is focused on the pitch and the possibility of achieving something historic with Atletico Madrid. So this is the situation. Nothing is going to change now. Barcelona would love to sign Alvarez, but they are aware of the very difficult financial package required. The situation has not changed.<\/p>\n \u201cThere will be many rumours, but for now Alvarez is fully focused on Atletico Madrid and the Champions League semi-finals. Then we will understand more because, as I have always told you since November, all doors remain open for his future.<\/p>\n \u201cThat remains the case for the summer, but now is not the time for final decisions, it is time to focus.\u201d<\/p>\n There have previously been rumours that Arsenal have made a \u20ac105m (\u00a391m) bid<\/strong> for Alvarez as they look to bring in more firepower ahead of next season.<\/p>\n Responding to rumours about his future recently, Alvarez told reporters:\u00a0\u201cWhat do you want me to say? I\u2019ve never said anything.<\/p>\n \u201cThese are things that get said, then they spread like wildfire on social media. You say one thing and it generates comments, but I\u2019ve never said anything.<\/p>\n \u201cWho knows, maybe yes, maybe no. I\u2019m happy. It\u2019s a question that\u2019s going to come up everywhere, but I\u2019m happy, I\u2019m thinking about the day-to-day and working to give my best here.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/div>\nRomano: Alvarez does not want any distraction<\/strong><\/h2>\n
* \u2018He will still play a big part\u2019 \u2013 Merson urges Arteta to recall Arsenal star for Atletico Madrid clash<\/strong>
* Neville singles out Arsenal star who has been \u2018struggling for weeks now\u2019 after Newcastle win<\/strong>
* Arteta tells Arsenal to sign \u00a352m South American as contact made<\/strong><\/p>\n