TRANSFER UPDATE: Ricardo Alvarez - An Arsenal Player Already?

     Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening everyone.

     At the beginning of the transfer market, one of the first names Arsenal was linked with was Ricardo Alvarez.

     Alvarez is a highly rated player in Argentina, which has led to a huge chase for the midfielder, by clubs such as Malaga, Roma, Inter Milan, Schalke, and Sevilla. 

     As I said previously, Arsenal was interested in Alvarez up to a month ago, and talks began. In fact, Arsene Wenger even flew out to South America, rumors saying that the trip was not for holiday but for negotiations. However, Velez wanted 11 million for their star, which seemed to be too much for Arsene's liking.  

     That is when talks seemed to die down. In the past few weeks, talks grew over Hazard and Gervinho, but now with the signing of Gervinho seemingly near it's completion, talks for Alvarez are up and running once again. Why, I'm not so sure.

     Arsene has been watching Alvarez for around three years now. Arsene was notified of the Argentinian by Arsenal's Brazil based scout Sandro Orlandelli.

     To be honest, I haven't heard much of "Ricky" Alvarez as he is called, but if Arsene is willing to pay 11 million and fly out to South America for the midfielder must mean he has bundles of talent. In Arsene we trust!

     It's interesting that Arsenal is being linked with yet another winger/attacking midfielder. We look to be on the verge of signing Gervinho, so with Gervinho and Alvarez, our attacking options would look like this:

1. Vela
2. Van Persie
3. Chamakh
4. Walcott
5. Gervinho
6. Arshavin 
7. Alvarez 
8. Nasri

     That is a very large amount of players for three spots, if we stick with our 4-2-3-1 formation. 

     However, Gervinho, Vela, and Alvarez can all play up top with a striking partner. Henceforth, does this mean a switch to 4-4-2 in the upcoming season? It's hard to say. But with Cesc, Wilshere, and Ramsey able to fit into the attacking midfield role, it's hard to see Alvarez getting into that spot.

     It's all guessing games right now regarding where he would play for us. The fact is, Alvarez is heavily linked with us, and we look to be leading the chase. 

Stats:

Nationality: Argentinian

Age: 23

Club: Velez Sarsfield

Price: Approximately 11 million pounds

Height: 1.88 m

Weight: 73 kg

Preferred foot: Left

Position: Attacking midfielder*

*Can also play as a second striker, or anywhere across the midfield.

     Regarding his style of play, he is a skill player, who has good balance. From watching the video above, he reminds me of Neymar in a way, the way he strikes the ball and gets past players. 

     He also seems like a player not afraid to shoot. Something Arsenal is desperate for. 

     My only complaints with him (although I have only seen a short clip) is that he seems a very one-footed player, and he needs to bulk up for the Premier League. I'm making it sound like we've already signed him! Well, as a matter of fact...

     The latest reports/rumors regarding the transfer is that Palermo are now in the chase for Alvarez as well. However, Palermo president said this on Italian Radio Kiss Kiss:

"We did have a concrete bid for Alvarez and had him in our grasp back in January. Unfortunately, we didn't complete the move in time, so we lost him to Arsenal. At this moment he has already signed for the Gunners."

     It is very difficult to analyze this. You almost find it hard to believe, that Arsenal has already signed him. The deals with Chris Samba and Gervinho were known to many as "nearly completed", but anything regarding Alvarez has been hidden.
     This could be because a lot of the rumors I hear are from European based people - not South American's.

Maurizio Zamparini - quite the looker

     But, this is Palermo's president that has said we have signed Alvarez, and not some tricky agent, or some random, sketchy website. I don't want to say no to this, but it just seems too good to believe.
     I'll have more on the issue as I hear more. Be sure to leave your comments and check back as well.


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     On the poll I put up, 44% of you said that Cesc must stay at Arsenal. 33% of you said that you would only sell Cesc if we could get more than 50 million for him. 11% said only for 40+, and just 5% said we could  sell him if Nasri stays. Another 5% selected "yes no matter what, but I was stupid enough to put up the same choice twice. My apologies.

     Personally, I'd really like him to stay, but if we could get 50 million for him that is an offer we cannot refuse. 40 million is a different story. It would still double or transfer budget, but what would be the repercussions of losing Cesc?
     Either way, I'm confident we will hold onto him.