'Here we go': Romano says £82m striker reportedly wanted by Arsenal is now joining CL rivals instead

Arsenal are likely to be busy in the latter stages of the transfer window as Edu and Mikel Arteta look to strengthen their ranks before deadline day.

The Gunners have made one senior signing so far this summer, bringing Riccardo Calafiori to N5 from Bologna, and chances are they’re not done yet.

Arsenal have been linked with a number of strikers, as the lack of an out-and-out No. 9 cost the Gunners some precious points in the Premier League last season.

However, there will invariably be targets who will slip through the net in any given transfer window.

Now according to Fabrizio Romano, one forward said to be on the Arsenal radar has committed his future elsewhere.

READ MORE: ‘Exciting’ Arsenal talent set for La Liga loan after penning new contract

Arsenal target Julian Alvarez now Atletico Madrid-bound

The player in question is Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez, who the Gunners were linked with as late as this week.

A few days ago, it was reported that Arsenal were willing to pay £70million to sign Alvarez from their title-rivals this summer.

However, the Gunners were up against it, amid intensifying interest from Atletico Madrid.

Now, Romano has declared “here we go” on Alvarez to the Wanda Metropolitano for a fee of £82million including add-ons.

Arsenal were always going to struggle for Alvarez

Alvarez is a talented and versatile forward who can play up front and on the right flank. At 24 years of age, he’s yet to enter his prime.

However, the Gunners may have known all along that striking another deal with Manchester City over a game-changing play would’ve been difficult.

Man City happily sold Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus in 2022, only for them to turn Arsenal into title-challengers and give their former team an almighty scare.

With that in mind, the Citizens will not want to directly contribute to potentially losing the Premier League title – or perhaps even the Champions League – to Arsenal in future.

Who could Arsenal sign next?

According to reports, Arsenal are set to announce the arrival of Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad in the coming days.

It has been said that Barcelona pulled out of the race after learning that Merino only wanted to join Arsenal this summer.

Should the Gunners sign Merino, that would take their tally to two senior summer signings, and chances are that won’t be the end of it.

With the transfer deadline just over three weeks away (Friday 30 August), time is of the essence.