Julian Alvarez: Chelsea owners meet Atletico Madrid over Argentina striker

Chelsea have opened discussions over a possible deal for Atletico de Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, with the club’s owners travelling to Spain for direct talks as they seek to beat Arsenal to the Argentina international.

Transfer journalist Nicolas Schira reported that Chelsea explored the conditions of a potential move for Alvarez during a meeting with Atletico officials in London last Thursday.

Schira said: “Chelsea explored the conditions of a possible deal to sign Alvarez last Thursday during a meeting in London with Atletico Madrid. Atletico have started talks in an attempt to sign Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea.”

The latest development places Chelsea at the centre of the race for Alvarez, who has been linked with a move to the Premier League in recent weeks. Arsenal have also been reported to be pushing strongly to complete a deal for the 25-year-old.

According to European transfer-market platform Topskills Sports UK, Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali have travelled to Spain to hold face-to-face negotiations with Atletico Madrid over Alvarez’s transfer.

The report says there is optimism within Chelsea that an agreement could be reached this week, after the London club reached an understanding with Alvarez over his personal terms.

However, Atletico continue to value the striker at €150m. The Spanish club are reportedly prepared to reduce their asking price to €120m if Alvarez joins Chelsea.

Chelsea are now working on the most suitable structure for paying the transfer fee, with the club seeking an arrangement that protects the interests of all parties involved. No final agreement between the clubs has been reported.

The negotiations are taking place as Alvarez considers leaving Atletico during the current transfer window. The Argentina forward is said to be keen on a new experience after joining the Madrid club from Manchester City.

Atletico are open to the possibility of Alvarez departing, but remain firm about the circumstances of any transfer, particularly the identity of his next club. Their position is especially influenced by the prospect of strengthening a direct rival.

The Madrid club are opposed to Alvarez joining Barcelona. They are, however, understood to be willing to consider offers from other clubs, which has allowed Chelsea’s interest to develop.

That stance could give Chelsea an advantage as the club intensifies efforts to secure the forward. Arsenal’s interest means the Premier League race remains open, but Chelsea’s meetings with Atletico and the reported agreement over personal terms have made them a serious contender for Alvarez’s signature.

The discussions also come as Atletico explore the possibility of signing Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea. A deal involving the two clubs could therefore develop alongside the negotiations over Alvarez, although the two transfers remain separate potential agreements.

Alvarez has become one of the most sought-after forwards available in the current market, and Chelsea’s latest approach underlines their determination to bring him to the Premier League. Atletico’s €150m valuation, or the reported potential reduced figure of €120m, remains the key issue still to be resolved.