Ray Parlour Calls for Arsenal to Pursue Julian Alvarez Transfer
Arsenal icon Ray Parlour has publicly encouraged the club to secure the signing of Julian Alvarez during the upcoming summer transfer window. Parlour expressed concerns that current striker Gabriel Jesus might depart the team, creating a crucial gap in the attacking lineup.
Arsenal's Striker Situation Under Scrutiny
The Gunners invested heavily last July, acquiring Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP for £64 million to address their long-standing need for a prolific number nine. Gyokeres, the Swedish international, initially faced challenges adapting to English football but delivered a standout performance in the recent derby victory over Tottenham, scoring twice to bring his season total to 15 goals across all competitions.
Despite this, Arsenal's goal-scoring has been distributed among the squad this term, with Gabriel Martinelli as the only other player to reach double figures, and only one of his goals coming in the Premier League. The returns of Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz from injury have bolstered Mikel Arteta's options for the title race, where Manchester City and Erling Haaland are close contenders.
Parlour's Vision for Squad Depth
Drawing from his own experience during Arsenal's successful eras, Parlour highlighted the importance of having multiple top-tier strikers. He recalled the 1997-98 double-winning squad, which featured Ian Wright, Dennis Bergkamp, Christopher Wreh, and a young Nicolas Anelka, as well as the Invincibles side with Thierry Henry, Sylvain Wiltord, and Nwankwo Kanu alongside Bergkamp.
Parlour emphasized that regardless of Jesus's potential exit, Arsenal should actively pursue another forward to elevate competition and standards within the team. He specifically praised Alvarez, describing him as a 'fantastic' addition who could thrive under Arteta's guidance with his pace and proven ability from his time at Manchester City.
Financial and Strategic Implications
Alvarez, the Argentina international, moved from Manchester City to Atletico Madrid in 2024 under the oversight of Andrea Berta, who now serves as sporting director at Arsenal. Any transfer would likely require an offer exceeding €100 million (£87 million) to persuade Atletico to negotiate.
Parlour acknowledged that Alvarez's arrival might raise questions about Gyokeres's role, but he expressed confidence in the Swede's development, noting his improved performance and potential impact on the title race. He stressed that consistency from Gyokeres could be key to Arsenal's championship ambitions, given the team's strengths in defense, midfield, and wide areas.
In summary, Parlour's insights underscore a strategic push for Arsenal to enhance their attacking options through the Alvarez transfer, balancing immediate needs with long-term squad planning.
