Chelsea are advancing in talks to beat Arsenal and Barcelona to the signing of Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, according to reports in Argentina.

Alvarez has enjoyed a productive spell in the Spanish capital since his £82m move from Manchester City, scoring 29 goals during his first season at Atletico.

However, there appears to be growing interest in the 25-year old Argentina international ahead of next summer’s transfer window.

Alvarez has been linked with a return to the Premier League, with Arsenal reportedly weighing up a move for the end of the season.

The Gunners may have the upper hand in any negotiations, given their sporting director Andrea Berta was the person who oversaw Alvarez’s move from City to the Wanda Metropolitano in the summer of 2024.

Barcelona are also huge admirers of the 26-year-old, and it is said that Alvarez would prefer a move to the Catalan giants instead of returning to England.

But reports from ESPN Argentina now suggest that Chelsea are the club leading the charge for Alvarez’s signature, with talks held between the player’s agency and the club arlier this week.

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