Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard ‘glad’ Arsenal missed out on huge signing

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Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard (Picture: Getty) Steven Gerrard did not hide his delight at Arsenal’s failure to land one of their key targets in this summer’s transfer window. Arsenal were also keen to sign Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, who went public with his desire to join Barcelona this summer.

Julian Alvarez wanted to leave Atletico Madrid this summer (Picture: Getty) ‘I’m just glad he didn’t go to Arsenal, I’ll just leave that one there!’ Fellow former Liverpool player Steve McManaman went further, insisting there was never any chance that Alvarez would have signed for the Gunners this summer. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. ‘He was never going to go, as if he wants to go to Arsenal,’ McManaman said. ‘He wanted to go to Barcelona; he came out and said that, but they’re not going to strengthen a rival. ‘Atletico Madrid paid £82million to Manchester City, he’s still got four years left on his contract.

Let’s be honest, he’s got a cheek saying I want to leave and go to Barcelona when they are, apart from Real Madrid, your closest rivals. Gerrard is glad Alvarez didn’t join Arsenal (Picture: Getty) ‘So it was imperative that Atletico Madrid stood their ground and said no but he has to prove it to the fans and his teammates that he’s fully invested back in the team.’ Alvarez failed to get on the scoresheet at Anfield as his Atletico side lost 2-1 to Liverpool, but Gerrard remains confident that the Argentine can quickly win the Atletico fanbase back over again. ‘I think he’s got the manager’s trust and the manager’s backing and a goal and a good performance can obviously change a lot of things,’ Gerrard added. ‘But it will still be in the back of his head that maybe the chance of his dream move is gone and could be gone forever. ‘But he’s a top player, very exciting, very clever and it’s no shock that he’s wanted around the world.