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Arsenal could rely on bitter London rivals Chelsea letting a key man leave before they are able to secure their dream summer signing, as the transfer window takes a fresh twist<\/h2>\n <\/p>\n\n
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\nJoao Pedro is of interest to Barcelona this summer(Image: Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/p>\n
Arsenal may not be able to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid this summer unless Chelsea allow Joao Pedro to leave for Barcelona.<\/p>\n
The summer transfer window is starting to heat up in the English capital, with Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso each looking for improvements to their current squads. Having signed Piero Hincapie on a permanent basis following a highly-successful loan spell from Bayer Leverkusen last season, it now appears as though the Gunners are focused on upping their attacking output.<\/p>\n
Yan Diomande, Bradley Barcola and Morgan Rogers have each been linked with making a move to the Emirates Stadium, although Andrea Berta’s priority target seems to be Atleti striker, Alvarez. The Argentinian managed 20 goals and nine assists for Diego Simeone’s side last season across all competitions and has seen a wealth of interest in him as a result.<\/p>\n
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE!<\/strong> Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Barcelona are also thought to be looking to make Alvarez their marquee man this summer, but have a number of back-up options in the instance that Atletico refuse to sell to their bitter La Liga rivals. Chelsea’s Pedro is understood to be one of those.<\/p>\n
The versatile Brazilian forward is thought to be admired by the higher-ups at the Camp Nou following his exploits on English soil.<\/p>\n
Should Barca give up their pursuit of Alvarez and instead opt to make a move for Pedro, that would leave Arsenal unchallenged in their own efforts to bring the Atleti forward in.<\/p>\n
That’s a big ask, however, for a number of reasons. First and foremost, Chelsea are reportedly not willing to let Pedro leave this summer, given his importance to the team.<\/p>\n
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\nArsenal are keen on signing Julian Alvarez(Image: Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
The 24-year-old managed 15 Premier League goals and eight assists in 35 appearances in 2025\/26 and he was their main attacking outlet.<\/p>\n
Under contract until 2033, Chelsea are in no rush to sell Pedro unless he personally hands in a transfer request – an unlikely scenario given how content he seems in West London.<\/p>\n
Alvarez, meanwhile, has a number of obstacles in his way of a move of his own. The 26-year-old is thought to see Barcelona as his ideal destination this summer, meaning that if an agreement is miraculously struck between the two clubs, he would be more likely to move to Catalonia.<\/p>\n
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Given Alvarez is also under contract until 2030, Atleti can charge whatever they want for his transfer this summer should they look to move him on.<\/p>\n
That’s also unlikely, considering Atleti CEO, Miguel Angel Gil, has made it clear that the club will not be entertaining any offers, having already rejected a \u00a3129million from Real Madrid.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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