Richards is urging Manchester City to hijack Arsenal's pursuit of Álvarez and bring the Atlético Madrid striker back to the club.

Richards is urging Manchester City to hijack Arsenal's pursuit of Álvarez and bring the Atlético Madrid striker back to the club.

Álvarez won two Premier League titles during his two seasons at Manchester City but moved to Atlético Madrid for £82 million in August 2023 due to a lack of regular playing time.

Since then, the Argentine forward has established himself as one of Europe's top strikers, scoring 49 goals in 107 appearances for the Spanish club.

However, the 26-year-old striker is reportedly keen to seek a new challenge after expressing during the Copa América that his dream is to join Barcelona this summer.

Atlético Madrid has taken a firm stance, insisting they will not sell Álvarez to a domestic rival, while the striker was heavily booed by the club's own fans during a La Liga draw against Villarreal on Sunday night.

Arsenal have been interested in Álvarez throughout the summer, hoping to add another superstar striker to Mikel Arteta's squad.

Álvarez has made clear that he prefers a move to Barcelona, but recent reports suggest his stance may be softening, which could give Arsenal an opportunity to table a substantial bid.

It would take as much as €150 million (£128 million) to prise Álvarez away from the Spanish capital, and Arsenal are reportedly considering selling Gabriel Martinelli to help fund the deal.

Richards believes the signing would be a "statement of intent" from Arsenal, but he would prefer his former club Manchester City to make a final offer to bring Álvarez back to the Etihad Stadium to strengthen Enzo Maresca's attack.

"I feel like Arsenal need one more," Richards said on The Rest is Football podcast.

"Clearly they have Gyökeres, who you can't underestimate; he's a Premier League winner. But I just feel if they want to build dominance, go and get another striker. Go and get Álvarez, that would be a statement of intent.

"If I was Manchester City, I'd go back in for Álvarez. 100%."

Meanwhile, Alan Shearer believes Arsenal would be "very, very difficult to stop" across all competitions this season if they recruit Álvarez.

"Havertz is a fantastic player, and I think in big games Arteta will pick him, and I understand that," he said.

"Gyökeres has also done well, but I agree with Micah.

"If they want to maintain their position at the top and want to dominate for the next three or four years, then if they could recruit a top-class centre-forward, I think it would make them very, very difficult to stop."

Speaking over the weekend, Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone called on the club's fans to support Álvarez despite his apparent desire for a fresh start.

"To win titles, you need a striker," Simeone said. "We're competing with the players we have. Until today, I tell the players before they leave that while they're with us, I will fully support them.

"We need a striker, a good striker. We have one, so we must keep him."

"I think we all need to unite. Julián is with us, and while he's here, we will support him.

"We want the best for him because we know what he can give. This is an uncomfortable situation for everyone, but hopefully this matter can be resolved, and we can all be happy at the end of the season."

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