Palermo claim Alvarez signs for Arsenal

Ricardo Alvarez has signed for Arsenal, according to the Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini.Alvarez has been a member of the Velez squad since 2008, although a cruciate ligament injury suffered in the same year stalled his breakthrough into the first team. The 6'2" Argentine, who also holds an Italian passport, is known for his versatility, and can play across the midfield, as well as a second striker.The 23-year-old Argentina midfielder has been a long-term target for the Italian side, but according to Zamparini, any chance of enticing him to Serie A is now over.Speaking to Radio Kiss Kiss in Italy, he said: "We were interested in Alvarez, we were very close to him in January.
"We lost him due to our mistake and I know that he has already signed for Arsenal."
If that's the case, the Velez Sarsfield player becomes Arsene Wenger's first signing of the summer.