Arsenal is reportedly monitoring the situation of Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez, following a public exchange of words between the player and manager Pep Guardiola, which seems to being blown out of proportion.

The Gunners are reportedly prepared to start the season without a new striker but could be tempted to make a move for the 24-year-old World Cup winner, especially if Guardiola’s stance on unhappy players leaving the club opens the door for a potential transfer.

Alvarez, who has scored 20 goals in 67 Premier League appearances for City, recently expressed uncertainty about his future at the club. He stated he would evaluate his options after the Olympics, hinting at a potential desire for even more playing time, particularly in important matches. Alvarez said: “Last season, I was one of the players with the most minutes at City. But… in the end, you don’t like being left out of important matches; you want to contribute.”

Guardiola’s response, indicating that he wouldn’t force an unhappy player to stay, has fuelled speculation about Alvarez’s potential departure. “I don’t think about replacing,” Guardiola said when asked about Alvarez’s comments. “I knew he said he will think about it. Once he has finished thinking, his agent will call Txiki [Begiristain] and we will see what happens. I know he wants to play important moments, yeah. But the other ones [do] too. 18, 19 players as well want to play the big games. I read he wants to think about it. Okay, think about it and after that he will inform us what he wants to do.”

While City is rumoured to want around £80 million for the Argentine striker, Arsenal could raise funds through the sale of players like Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson, who have been linked with moves away from the Emirates.

Arsenal has already invested in the transfer market this summer, acquiring defender Riccardo Calafiori and goalkeeper David Raya. However, the prospect of securing a player of Alvarez’s calibre could be too tempting to resist, especially if the financial conditions align.

Alvarez’s performances for both Manchester City and Argentina have been impressive, and his versatility in attack makes him an attractive option for Mikel Arteta‘s side. He can play as a central striker or on the wings, adding depth and flexibility to Arsenal‘s frontline.

The situation reportedly remains ‘fluid’, with Alvarez now on holiday after representing Argentina at the Olympics. He recently addressed Guardiola’s comments, stating that he never said anything negative about the club and remains happy at City. However, his desire for more playing time in crucial games could be a deciding factor in his future.

“I heard what Guardiola said,” Alvarez told TyC Sports. “I don’t have much to say about it. I never said anything bad. I just said that I was going to think about it like I do every season to make an analysis of what happened last season, a projection of what may come. I always say that I am comfortable and happy at City, which is a great club. So I didn’t say anything bad.”