Arsenal news: Stunning Julian Alvarez 'swap transfer' and Martin Odegaard set for new role

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Arsenal continue to make strides in the summer transfer window as the World Cup 2026 takes shape. Fifteen of Mikel Arteta's players are currently competing in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with several of them already shining with brilliant displays.

Yet, in the background, Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta are actively working to improve the squad in time for next season. The Spaniard hinted as much in his post-match interview after the bitter penalty shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain last month, where he suggested the club needed to buy more difference-makers up top.

The Gunners are understood to be prioritising a midfielder, a left winger and even a striker this summer. Arsenal officially return to action on August 16, when they take on Manchester City in the Community Shield.

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Now, Mirror Football takes a look at two of the latest stories involving the Premier League champions.

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Arsenal have reportedly agreed a stunning swap deal for Julian Alvarez, which would see Viktor Gyokeres go the opposite direction. Alvarez has been strongly linked with an Atletico Madrid departure in recent months, following his outstanding two seasons in Spain, where he has scored 49 goals in 108 games.

European champions PSG have expressed their interest in the Argentine, while Barcelona and Real Madrid have entered a high-profile race to secure his signature this summer. But it has now emerged that the Gunners are leading that race to sign the 26-year-old and have even made a breakthrough by reaching an agreement with Atleti.

Journalist Jota Jordi recently claimed on the El Chiringuito programme via Sportbible that Atletico chief Gil Marin informed Barcelona president Joan Laporta Alvarez is not for sale. Jordi went on to say it is a "done deal" for Alvarez to sign for Arsenal.

However, the supposed arrangement isn't a straight transfer, with Jordi claiming that the agreement is for €50m (£43m) plus Gunners forward Gyokeres. Gyokeres joined the north Londoners last summer for a fee of £55m and ended up scoring 21 goals in 55 appearances in all competitions, helping Arsenal end a 22-year Premier League trophy drought.

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Martin Odegaard could be set for a new role at Arsenal after impressing on corner-taking duty for Norway. The Gunners skipper captained his nation during their 4-1 win over Iraq on Tuesday as they began their World Cup campaign in style.

In the final quarter of an hour of the game, Odegaard set up Leo Ostigard from a corner to double Norway ’s advantage. His perfectly-weighted ball met the Genoa defender once he darted past Mustafa Saadoon at the near post, meaning he only needed to make the slightest contact with the ball to send it into the far corner.

Odegaard was a constant threat thanks to his set-piece deliveries. And, while he doesn’t usually take corners for Arsenal, he may have given Arteta something to think about after consistently sending excellent balls into the box.

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