Gary Lineker claims World Cup winner unhappy as Arsenal plot huge transfer

Gary Lineker has sparked fresh talk about Arsenal’s summer plans by suggesting Julián Álvarez is frustrated at Atletico Madrid. Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, as relayed by The Standard, the former England striker hinted he has inside info that the Argentine World Cup winner wants out of Spain.

Gary Lineker: Julián Álvarez ‘Unhappy’ at Atletico Madrid as Arsenal Eye Blockbuster Summer Transfer

These claims come at a bad time for Mikel Arteta, whose side are currently under fire for a struggling attack. Jamie Carragher recently pointed out that the Gunners lack a clinical edge up front. It is a problem that has dried up their goals and put a dent in their title hopes.

Lineker didn’t hold back when talking about what this move could mean. He claimed that if Arsenal secure Álvarez, it’s game over for everyone else, noting the forward’s knack for showing up in huge matches. While Lineker admitted most social media rumours are junk, he stood by this specific link because of what he knows about the player’s headspace. Word is that while Arteta wants to freshen up his front line, Álvarez’s situation gives the Gunners a real chance to pounce.

“It’s probably complete b******* as most of these things are on social media, but I saw they were linked with Julian Alvarez, who I know is not entirely happy with life at Atletico.

“Now that is the sort of player you know can handle the big occasion – he’s a World Cup winner for crying out loud. Someone like that at Arsenal would be game over. But they do need one or two of these current forwards to start scoring on a reasonably regular basis.” 

What’s The Situation Of The Argentine Forward?

The 2025/26 season has been a tough one for Álvarez. Since his big-money move from Manchester City in August 2024, the 25-year-old hasn’t quite found his rhythm. The numbers for this campaign are a bit worrying; he has only 11 goals in 29 games and is currently stuck in a rut, failing to score in his last 10 La Liga matches. Because of this slump, and the fact that Atletico might take offers around £86m, a summer move looks very likely.

For Arsenal, the big question is whether to spend that kind of money on a player who isn’t in top form. Still, Álvarez brings a relentless finishing ability that Gabriel Jesus and even the prolific but recently streaky Viktor Gyökeres have lacked at times.

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His work rate and ability to play anywhere across the front fit Arteta’s system. If Arsenal can get the price down toward £80m, bringing in a proven winner hungry to prove himself again could be exactly what they need to finally lift the Premier League trophy.