Arsenal latest: Julian Alvarez set for new offer as world-class transfer plea made

Arsenal's top priority for this summer's transfer window has been outlined

Transfer speculation surrounding Arsenal's summer business is already gathering pace, despite a significant amount of football remaining this season.

The Gunners are currently waiting for the end of the international break, with several players on duty for their countries, before returning to action against Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals on April 4.

The break has arrived at a fortunate moment, allowing time to regroup following their gruelling 2-0 Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City - arguably their most damaging result of the season to date.

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Yet, Mikel Arteta's men still sit atop the Premier League standings with a nine-point advantage. They also have a Champions League quarter-final clash with Sporting CP to look forward to in the coming weeks, which they are the favourites to win.

Here, football.london examines two of the latest developments surrounding the north London side.

Carragher outlines transfer priority

Jamie Carragher has urged Arsenal to make signing a world-class forward their top priority this summer. The Gunners have faced criticism this season for their shortage of attacking creativity, a problem compounded by key figures such as Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka falling short of the high standards they had previously set.

Saka, Arteta's most potent attacking threat, has managed just nine goals across all competitions this season. Pundit Carragher believes Arsenal must sign a marquee forward in the vein of Mohamed Salah this summer, arguing that the attack "hasn't clicked" throughout the campaign.

Carragher offered his assessment of Arteta's side on The Overlap, saying: "I don’t think it will affect the league because Arsenal have got such a big gap. But my thing with Arsenal now – and you could probably say this with every team in the Premier League – is there’s not enough special players.

"Arsenal are the best team in the league and have an amazing record but I still look at the attack and think it’s only okay. There’s no star player and sometimes you need that player when you’re not playing well, like they weren't in the cup final.

"I don’t think Arsenal have enough special players in attack and that would worry me a bit for the Champions League. I thought two years ago that [Bukayo] Saka and [Martin] Odegaard were going to be the real deal and be like [Mohamed] Salah and [Kevin] De Bruyne. They were nearly there.

"Arsenal are probably going to win the league but if they do I don’t think any of the attacking players will think they’ve had an amazing season. It’s just not clicked."

Julian Alvarez set to receive offer

Arsenal target Julian Alvarez is reportedly set to receive a lucrative contract offer from Atletico Madrid as the club tries to retain his services. The 26-year-old Argentine striker has been the subject of speculation linking him with a switch to the Emirates Stadium in the lead-up to this summer’s transfer window.

Arteta is understood to have long admired the former Manchester City attacker, having explored the possibility of signing him before his move to Atletico in 2024. Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta was the man responsible for bringing Alvarez to Atletico, before his own switch to north London.

Barcelona and Chelsea have also emerged as possible suitors for Alvarez. However, the forward, who has netted 17 goals this campaign, may be persuaded to stay with the La Liga club as Atletico are willing to make him one of their highest earners.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Atletico are prepared to satisfy Alvarez's financial demands after initial hesitation, with a proposed wage packet of around €10million (£8m) annually - a rise from his current €7m (£6m) earnings. The Colchoneros are said to be optimistic he will pledge his long-term future to the club, a decision that would make it far more difficult for Arsenal to lure him away.

The 2022 World Cup winner is under contract until 2030 and has a €500m (£432m) release clause, well above the €100m Barca are believed to be willing to offer. While formal contract discussions are yet to get underway, Atletico remain confident that Alvarez's settled family life in the Spanish capital will prove a decisive factor in keeping him at the club.