English Premier League
Arsenal suffer same transfer setback as Barcelona after Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez snubs
Arsenal have followed a similar path to Barcelona in the summer transfer market, missing out on both Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez.
Alvarez rejected the chance to join Arsenal as he remained determined to fulfil his ambition of playing for Barcelona. However, Atletico de Madrid refused the Catalan club’s offer for the Argentina international, meaning that move also failed to materialise.
Barcelona then considered a number of alternatives, including Inter Milan striker Martinez. The Argentina forward turned down the possibility of moving to Barcelona, with the club eventually signing Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus instead.
Having realised they were unlikely to prise Alvarez away, Arsenal also turned their attention to Martinez, according to The Sun.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta explored the possibility of bringing the Inter Milan forward to Emirates Stadium after it became clear that Alvarez would not be leaving Atletico de Madrid. The north London club therefore identified Martinez as another option for the attack during the final stages of the summer transfer window.
But Arsenal’s late attempt to complete a deal was rejected decisively by Inter Milan.
Martinez has since confirmed that reports of Barcelona’s interest in him were accurate. Speaking to Sky Italia, he said: “The rumours were true, but in the end, I wanted to stay here with my team-mates, with these people, with these fans who have always been wonderful to me.”
He added: “It is certainly a great pleasure, a great honour and immense satisfaction because you are always working to improve, move forward and develop. When these offers or calls from these big clubs arrive, they are always welcome. It is very important.”
The sequence of events left Arsenal and Barcelona facing comparable disappointments in their pursuit of attacking reinforcements. Both clubs had shown interest in Alvarez, but his preference was to play for Barcelona, while Atletico de Madrid declined the offer made by the Catalan side.
Barcelona subsequently moved on to Martinez, only for the Inter Milan player to choose to remain with his club and continue alongside his team-mates. The Spanish club then completed the signing of Gabriel Jesus.
Arsenal’s approach to Martinez came after the breakdown of their hopes of signing Alvarez. Arteta’s side made their interest known late in the summer market, but Inter Milan refused to consider the proposal.
As a result, the two clubs ended up experiencing broadly the same outcome: Barcelona were unable to sign the players they had targeted in Alvarez and Martinez before turning to Gabriel Jesus, while Arsenal also failed to secure either forward after their approaches were rejected.
