Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has reportedly made a personal phone call to Julian Alvarez as the Gunners make a final attempt to sign the Atletico Madrid striker before the summer transfer window closes.

Arsenal are understood to be determined to strengthen their attacking options and have identified Alvarez as one of their preferred targets.

Arteta has now taken a direct approach by contacting the Argentina international himself in an effort to convince him that a move to north London would be the right next step in his career.

The Gunners face significant competition for Alvarez, with Barcelona also reportedly interested in the 26-year-old forward.

Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, remain reluctant to part with one of their most important players and are understood to have maintained a firm stance over his future.

Alvarez joined Atletico from Manchester City and has established himself as a key figure for the Spanish side, making any potential deal particularly difficult for Arsenal to complete.

Despite the obstacles, Arsenal are reportedly preparing a final push, with Arteta hoping his personal intervention can help persuade Alvarez to consider a move to the Emirates Stadium.

The Arsenal boss has been keen to add more attacking quality to his squad and sees Alvarez’s versatility, movement and goalscoring ability as qualities that could significantly strengthen his team.

Alvarez’s ability to operate both as a central striker and in deeper attacking positions would also give Arteta greater tactical flexibility.

With the transfer window approaching its deadline, Arsenal’s reported direct approach could now prove crucial.

However, any move would still depend on Atletico’s willingness to negotiate and Alvarez’s desire to leave Madrid.

Arsenal’s latest effort underlines just how strongly Arteta wants the Argentine forward, but the Gunners face a race against time to turn their interest into a completed transfer.