Romano Delivers Mixed Verdict on Arsenal's €300m Summer Targets Alvarez and Kvaratskhelia

Arsenal's attacking ambitions face a reality check, with transfer insider Fabrizio Romano pouring cold water on half of the club's summer wishlist.

Despite the prospect of winning the Premier League and Champions League this season, Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta have already zeroed in on overhauling the forward line. Viktor Gyokeres has underwhelmed since arriving from Sporting CP last summer, while question marks linger over Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli's long-term futures in North London.

The Gunners have trained their sights on two continental stars: Julian Alvarez at Atletico Madrid and Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia at Paris Saint-Germain. Atletico value the former Manchester City forward at €120 million (£104m), with reports suggesting Arsenal could offload Kai Havertz to fund the move. PSG, meanwhile, are demanding at least €180 million (£156m) for the 25-year-old winger, who has also attracted Liverpool's attention.

However, Romano's latest assessment offers only partial encouragement for the Emirates faithful.

On Alvarez, the transfer guru indicated the striker remains a realistic possibility. He explained that Alvarez is deferring any career decisions until Atletico's Champions League campaign concludes, prioritising the competition and a potential final run. Romano stressed there is no indication of contract negotiations between Alvarez and Atletico, leaving the door firmly ajar for a summer departure. The situation will only crystallise once the European competition reaches its conclusion.

The Kvaratskhelia situation, by contrast, amounts to a dead end for Arsenal's planning. Romano was emphatic: the winger has no intention of quitting PSG. Having arrived in January 2025, Kvaratskhelia has settled quickly in the French capital and remains content with his surroundings. His father recently went public with his son's commitment to remain in Paris, with the player himself reinforcing the message. There are no plans to leave, and no appetite for a fresh challenge elsewhere.

So Arteta and Berta face a familiar summer puzzle: one door opening, another firmly shut.