Arsenal big name tipped to join Atletico Madrid in Julian Alvarez swap - 'there's a deal to be done'

Arsenal may well be able to sign Julian Alvarez in a swap deal involving Gabriel Jesus and a significant fee.

That is the opinion of experienced former Everton, Tottenham and Aston Villa scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The Argentina international is the Gunners' top target in the final days of the transfer window, as they look to further strengthen their options up front.

Alvarez has his heart set on a move to Barcelona and it remains to be seen whether he will accept Arsenal's offer after being told that he will not be joining the Spanish champions.

The 26-year-old has missed team training three times this week and has undoubtedly burned bridges in Madrid, with Atleti willing to sell him to the Gunners.

The Spanish club have reportedly made contact with Jesus' agents in recent days, as they look for their own reinforcements in attack.

Gabriel Jesus bid 'would sort' Julian Alvarez negotiations

Should Alvarez provide Arsenal with the go-ahead to pursue his transfer, it is expected that a deal would proceed quickly.

The two sides have reportedly already discussed what a potential deal would look like, with the forward expected to cost in the region of £130million.

Atleti's interest in Jesus does bring up the potential for a swap deal, however. The 29-year-old has just one year remaining on his contract and looks set to leave Arsenal before the window closes.

"There's been talk about Jesus going to Atletico Madrid, hasn't there? He [Alvarez] is a good player and I'm sure there's a deal to be done there with an Arsenal player," King told Football Insider.

"As we said, Jesus is a player who could suit Atletico Madrid, so I'm sure that there's a deal there to be done.

"If the manager doesn't want him, then the manager says, 'I don't want him to go to Barcelona', but there again, how much will he cost? I think £100m plus Jesus would sort it out, wouldn't you?"

Would La Liga suit Jesus?

There has never been any question over Jesus' ability and technical quality, of which he is not lacking.

While the forward has certainly had problems putting the ball into the back at nets at times, he more than makes up for it with what he brings to the team.

The problem has been the injuries. Since Jesus' knee injury, suffered in his first season at Arsenal, he has yet to go a single season without spending a sizable chunk on the sideline.

But a move to Atleti and La Liga could suit the Brazilian, with the league not quite as physically demanding as the Premier League.

Jesus would certainly be a strong addition for the Spanish side, and would go some way to potentially replacing Alvarez.