£11m Argentine starlet target admits Arsenal dream

The Ricardo Alvarez transfer saga took another twist today, with the player admitting he would love to play for Arsenal.

Linked with a handful of clubs across Europe, including Inter Milan and Napoli, the 23-year-old Velez Sarfield midfielder has become one of the hottest properties on the radar this summer.

Reports in The Sun earlier in the week claimed Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was preparing to step-up his interest in the player, and now Alvarez has revealed his desire to make an Emirates move.

"I would love to play for Arsenal, it would be a dream for me," the player tweeted.

"God willing it will happen!"


 

A high-placed source at Arsenal confirmed that the club have been monitoring the Argentine, although a previously quoted £11 million price tag was thought to have brought negotiations to a stand-still last month.

He is definitely of interest (to Arsenal). There has been no deal with his club Velez Sarsfield but it is true the club have been looking at Alvarez."

In a further twist, Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini claimed last week that the Gunners had won the race for the signature, a claim the north Londoners would later deny.

"We had the matter in hand in January but Alvarez has now given us the slip and signed for Arsenal."

The player's admission now makes Arsenal favourites to land the player should they wish to continue their pursuit, although a few more twists could still take place in this particular transfer race.