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Diego Simeone confirms Arsenal’s interest in ex-Man City attacker
29th April, 2026 10:22 AM
Arsenal are interested in Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez but face competition to sign him from Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, according to Diego Simeone.
The Atletico Madrid manager confirmed the interest at his press conference before the two sides meet in the Wednesday, April 29, 2026, Champions League semi-final first leg at Metropolitano Stadium.
Extraordinary player
“I’m not inside Julian Alvarez’s head,” he said when asked about reports linking him with the Gunners.
“It is normal that an extraordinary player like Julian Alvarez is wanted by Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.
Alvarez has scored 48 goals in 104 games for Atletico Madrid since his Ksh 14.29B move from Manchester City, where he won back-to-back Premier League titles and was part of the 2022/23 treble.
The 26-year-old is known to Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta, who oversaw his move to Atletico from the Etihad Stadium.
Alvarez, who also won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, has sat out of Atletico’s last two games due to a minor injury but is expected to feature against Arsenal.
The Gunners added Viktor Gyokeres to their front line last summer, but the former Sporting striker, their top scorer this season with 18 goals, was dropped in favour of Kai Havertz before the Germany international picked up an injury against Newcastle.
Sky Sports News understands Arsenal plan to be active in the summer transfer market and intend to add a forward, a central midfielder, and a full-back.
Asking price
Atletico do not want to sell the Argentine international and, even if he asked to leave, they value him at £130m.
Alvarez is focused on winning the Champions League with Atletico and then the World Cup with his country.
A source close to the situation has indicated Alvarez’s preference, if he were to leave Atletico, would be joining Barcelona.
However, other sources in Spain have cast doubt on whether he has a preference at all given the unlikelihood of a transfer this summer.
Fourth semis apperance
Like Arsenal, Atletico head into Wednesday’s game hoping to win the Champions League for the first time in their history. This is their fourth semi-final appearance under Simeone.
“It’s extraordinary that Atletico Madrid is in a Champions League semi-final again after nine years, and after doing it for the fourth time in 14 years, if I’m not mistaken,” he said.
“That really is wonderful, it’s incredible. And I think that faith, the excitement, and the contagiousness that our people transmit to us will do us a lot of good.
Pressure
“In terms of pressure, I don’t feel the pressure. It is exciting to be as close as we are. We have never achieved it before.
“It is a special excitement. Leadership defines these games and we need to be ready and take the game to where we believe we can punish them. We will have a very tough game, against a fantastic rival, and we are very excited about it.”
Atletico were beaten 4-0 by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium during the league phase in October, and Simeone is wary of their dead-ball threat in particular.
Arsenal UCL clash
“We are going to face a tough game with a very good opponent and with a set-piece strategy that is very well worked,” he said. “Let’s go with all the excitement.
“I don’t think football owes anyone anything. Things are deserved and achieved, and for that you have to work and seek them, and obviously have luck behind you too.”
Atletico captain Koke, whose contract is due to expire at the end of the season, also expressed his excitement at the challenge ahead against Arsenal.
He said: “In the lead-up to these games, we are always excited. We feel butterflies in our stomachs.
“It is just like a first date. Then once you start warming up, it’s all gone; it’s just a football game, and you are as excited as you would be for any semi-final.
“We expect a very strong Arsenal side. This is a Champions League semi-final, and that is how we approach it.”
