Chelsea 'advancing' in talks to sign £82m star ahead of Arsenal and Barcelona

Chelsea are on the hunt for a marque summer signing (Picture: Getty) Chelsea are advancing in talks to beat Arsenal and Barcelona to the signing of Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, according to reports in Argentina. Alvarez has enjoyed a productive spell in the Spanish capital since his £82m move from Manchester City, scoring 29 goals during his first season at Atletico. However, there appears to be growing interest in the 25-year old Argentina international ahead of next summer’s transfer window. Alvarez has been linked with a return to the Premier League, with Arsenal reportedly weighing up a move for the end of the season. The Gunners may have the upper hand in any negotiations, given their sporting director Andrea Berta was the person who oversaw Alvarez’s move from City to the Wanda Metropolitano in the summer of 2024. Barcelona are also huge admirers of the 26-year-old, and it is said that Alvarez would prefer a move to the Catalan giants instead of returning to England. But reports from ESPN Argentina now suggest that Chelsea are the club leading the charge for Alvarez’s signature, with talks held between the player’s agency and the club arlier this week. Chelsea are reportedly leading the charge for the Argentine striker (Picture: Getty) ‘I insist, people are talking about a lot with Barcelona and Arsenal,’ ESPN journalist Jorge Baravalle said. ‘But I’m being told that the team slowly moving forward is Chelsea. Chelsea, quietly, are advancing for Julián Álvarez.” ‘I’m told there are conversations. In fact, part of the agency handling Julián’s transfer was in London this week, watching Chelsea v Arsenal. ‘They know both clubs want him, but what I’m being told is that, as of today, the most advanced contacts are with Chelsea.’ Analysis: Could Alvarez signing be a risk Julian Alvarez is wanted by several clubs this summer (Picture: Getty) Alvarez has just one La Liga goal in his last 15 matches – that one coming from the penalty spot against Sevilla at the start of November. For his last goal from open play, you have to go back to 27 September. Europe has offered some respite but the headline is still grim reading – in all competitions, Alvarez hasn’t score since the Champions League victory over PSV Eindhoven on 9 December. His form has sparked somewhat eyebrow-raising comments from Atletico president Enrique Cerezo last week, telling reporters: ‘He’s going through a moment where we don’t know what’s happening to him.’ Diego Simeone is stood firmly behind his striker, hitting back at critics daring to question his ability to find the back of the net. When asked why he or Atletico supporters should believe in Alvarez, Simeone replied: ‘Seriously? Are you seriously asking me that? ‘The truth is that Julian Alvarez speaks for himself, because of the name he has, the authority he carries, and the career he’s built, right?’ All things considered, Simeone is right. Alvarez is a proven goal scorer, at the very highest level in football having scored four times to help his nation lift the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. But as some recent big-money signings have shown, sometimes there are just no guarantees. Read the full analysis from Metro’s Tony Mogan by clicking here. Chelsea spent big on Joao Pedro and Liam Delap last summer, and reports suggest they may need to part ways with 100m euros (£87m) to add Alvarez to their attacking ranks. Speaking in December last year about the speculation surrounding his future at Atletico, Alvarez said: ‘Look, it doesn’t bother me. I try not to pay much attention, but I know what’s being said. ‘It’s all over social media. I think it’s more what’s being said online than what’s actually happening. ‘I’m very focused on this season, on what lies ahead with Atletico Madrid. So, I try to tune it out and think about myself, about continuing to grow as a player, and about winning.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.