Winning the Premier League title was supposed to make things easier. For Arsenal, it has done nothing of the sort. The summer of 2026 is shaping up to be a complicated one for Mikel Arteta and his recruitment team, as their biggest target — Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez — has made clear he has no intention of moving to north London.
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The Argentinian, who won the World Cup with his country in 2022 and has been one of LaLiga's most consistent performers since his move from Manchester City to Atletico Madrid, is reportedly not keen on relocating to London. Despite Arsenal positioning themselves as his primary suitors over the past year, the player himself has shown zero desire to make the switch.
A Blow to Arsenal's Plans
It is a significant setback. Arsenal identified Alvarez as the marquee attacking signing they needed to push from Premier League champions to genuine Champions League contenders. The 26-year-old, versatile enough to play as a centre-forward or in behind, would have solved several problems at once.
Instead, Arteta and his recruitment team must now move quickly to identify alternative targets. With the summer window now officially open, time is of the essence — particularly because other clubs are beginning to move, and the best targets will not wait around.
Koné and Gibbs-White in the Frame
Two names have emerged from the wreckage of the Alvarez pursuit. AS Roma midfielder Manu Koné has caught Arsenal's eye, with a €40 million move reportedly being considered. The French international, 24, brings energy, technical quality, and significant physical presence to any midfield — attributes that would complement Arsenal's existing options well.
Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White is another name on Arsenal's radar, identified as a high-quality alternative to Morgan Rogers in the attacking midfield role. Gibbs-White, 26, has been one of the Forest players to shine most brightly during a period of genuine ambition at the City Ground. Luring him away would come at a significant cost.
Financial Sustainability in Focus
What complicates Arsenal's planning further is their own commitment to financial sustainability. Unlike some rivals who have operated with significant losses in recent years, the Gunners have been careful to ensure their books balance. That means sales will likely need to precede major purchases this summer.
Fringe players, those who have fallen down the pecking order, and one or two bigger names who attract interest — these will all need to be shifted before Arteta can invest in the kind of quality he is seeking. It is a balancing act that the club has managed well in recent windows, but the Alvarez setback adds an extra layer of difficulty.
What is clear is that Arsenal will not stand still. The squad that won the Premier League title was built with purpose and intelligence. The additions that come this summer will be expected to maintain and extend that standard. If not Alvarez, then the Gunners will find another way to get their man.
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