Paul Scholes has urged Arsenal to meet Atletico Madrid’s £100m valuation for Julian Alvarez and complete a blockbuster deal before the Argentina striker’s £431m release clause kicks in.
What did Scholes say?
On *The Good, The Bad & The Football* podcast on 15 July 2026, Scholes said any big club should “just go and get him.” He called Alvarez a match-winner and argued top-class centre-forwards are rare. Scholes also described the 26-year-old as more of a drifter than a pure target man. “There’s not even a debate,” he added.
Why Alvarez is on the move
Alvarez told club officials in late June 2026 he wants to leave Atletico to “fulfil his dream,” with Barcelona also linked. He swapped Manchester City for Atletico in August 2024 for up to £81.8m and has since scored 49 goals in 106 matches. His first season brought 17 La Liga goals in 37 games, while 2025-26 yielded eight league strikes across 37 appearances.
How Alvarez fits at Arsenal
Scholes reckons Alvarez would pair brilliantly with Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal’s £55m summer 2025 signing who fired 21 goals as the Gunners won the Premier League. Nicky Butt, the former Manchester United midfielder, agreed, calling Alvarez a “perfect partner” for an out-and-out centre-forward. Reports have hinted Arsenal could use Gyokeres as part of a swap to land Alvarez, though the Swede insisted he’s happy at the Emirates.
The transfer math
Atletico rejected a £129m bid in June 2026 and still insist Alvarez’s release clause stands at £431m. Arsenal’s record fee remains the £105m paid for Declan Rice in 2023. Meanwhile, Elliot Anderson’s £116m move underlines the inflation hitting elite forwards. Scholes’ push raises the stakes for Mikel Arteta’s side as Alvarez prepares to face England in the World Cup semi-final on 17 July 2026.