Arsenal are sitting six points clear at the top of the Premier League. They’ve won all eight of their Champions League group games. It’s a good time to be a fan at the Emirates. But Mikel Arteta isn’t sitting still. He wants more goals.
Reports now suggest the club is ready to spend big on Atletico Madrid forward Julián Álvarez. This move is being lined up for the summer 2026 window. And it won’t be cheap.
The Hunt for Julian Alvarez
The Argentine striker is a big name. He’s won it all. But he might be looking for a new challenge soon. Atletico Madrid is reportedly open to letting him leave. This has put Arsenal on high alert. The Gunners have already spent over £250 million on eight new players.
They want to keep that momentum going. OneFootball reports that Arteta sees Alvarez as a major piece for the future. Tentative talks have already happened. It’s a long-term plan for the summer of 2026. But the interest is serious.
Arteta has been clear about his strategy. He likes to be ready for anything. Back in December, he talked about the January window. He said:
“The window is there… we have to be actively looking… our job is to always be very prepared.”
The club is also working on keeping its current stars. Bukayo Saka is in advanced talks for a new deal. He could become the highest-paid player at the club.
They want to give him over £300,000 a week. Jurriën Timber is also in line for a new contract. It shows the club wants to build a dynasty. They aren’t just buying stars. They’re keeping their own too.
Midfield Shuffles and Injury Woes
Things aren’t all perfect, though. Arsenal lost Mikel Merino to a season-ending injury. He broke a bone against Manchester United. That’s a huge blow for the midfield. Because of this, the club is looking at Leon Goretzka. The Bayern Munich man is out of contract soon.
Sources say Arsenal are weighing up a move for him. He’d bring a lot of experience. And he wouldn’t cost a transfer fee if they wait.
Martín Zubimendi has been great since joining from Real Sociedad. He cost £60 million last summer. He’s already got five goals and three assists in 33 games. People thought Real Madrid might want him. But Zubimendi shut those rumors down.
He told Cadena Ser that Madrid has enough players. He seems happy in London. He said playing where you feel important is comforting. And he’s right. He’s a key man for Arteta now.
But the midfield still needs depth. With Merino out, the pressure is on. Goretzka could fix that. He’s a powerful runner. He fits the style Arteta likes. It’s a bit of a mess with the injuries. But the team keeps winning anyway. They’ve even reached the Carabao Cup final. Everything is clicking on the pitch.
Atletico Madrid Playing Hardball
There’s a bit of friction between Arsenal and Atletico. Atletico recently signed Rodrigo Mendoza from Elche. Arsenal wanted him too. Mendoza chose to stay in Spain for €16 million. He signed a deal until 2031. It’s a bit of a snub for the Premier League leaders.
Now there are rumors that Atletico want to poach a player from the Emirates. It’s not clear who yet. Some reports mentioned Gabri Veiga at Porto. But he’s not an Arsenal man. Still, the tension is there between the two clubs.
Atletico have been busy themselves. They signed Ademola Lookman for €40 million recently. They also tried a late bid for Veiga, but Porto said no.
They seem to be focusing on their midfield. Maybe that’s why they’re willing to talk about Alvarez. If they can get a huge fee from Arsenal, they can rebuild other areas. It’s a game of chess. Arsenal wants the striker. Atletico wants to keep its power in La Liga.
The summer of 2026 feels far away. But in football, it’s right around the corner. Arsenal are planning. They’re top of the league now. They want to stay there for years. Signing Alvarez would send a massive message to the rest of the world.
For now, they focus on the title race. They have a six-point lead to protect. And a cup final to win. It’s an exciting time to be a Gooner. Even with the injuries, the squad looks strong. We’ll see if the Alvarez deal happens.
It would be a huge move for the Premier League. ESPN has been following the Zubimendi situation closely, too. He’s the proof that big signings can work at the Emirates. Now they just need to finish the job this season.
Ishaan Singh 
Baishali Karmakar 
Govind Singh