Arsenal haven’t given up on signing Atlético Madrid’s Julián Alvarez in the final stage of the summer window.
The Argentina international has decided to leave and wants to join Barcelona. However, the Madrid club have publicly confirmed he won’t join their league rivals and continue to maintain that stance.
Two days ago, Sport Witness covered a report from Spain explaining that Arsenal are offering €80m plus Viktor Gyökeres. The striker can collect €25m gross per year at the Emirates.
Atlético have changed their stance and are now willing to let him leave. All signs point to England as his future destination.
Arsenal still in picture
Sunday’s edition of AS mentions the Gunners’ ongoing efforts when covering the latest on the disagreement between the player and his club.
Sources close to him told AS that he informed Atlético Madrid of his desire to leave in March. At that time, CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín told him to bring in a proposal of around €150m.
Sources inform the newspaper that Marín was the one who asked him to make his wish public during the World Cup. He’s unable to process the club’s latest decisions and is unhappy with their firm stance.
Meanwhile, Gil Marín is now refusing to meet the 26-year-old or his agent. The player still wants to leave this summer, and Arsenal continue to maintain their interest.
Arteta and Berta leading Arsenal’s pursuit
Barcelona are still keen while their sporting director, Deco, is exploring other options in the market.
The La Liga winners may return with a fresh proposal late in the window to sign him.
AS states: ‘In all this mess, there is an alternative that, while not completely ruled out, is not what Julián wants. His “no” to Arsenal still stands, but he hasn’t completely closed that option.’
Julián Alvarez’s priority is to join Hansi Flick’s side. He might have to settle for Arsenal, who can be an ’emergency solution’.
Arsenal have been pursuing him for a while. Both Mikel Arteta and Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta have been in regular contact with him.
The Premier League winners’ sporting project ‘seduces’ him while there is a big concern over joining them.
The newspaper states: ‘…the bureaucracy and visa restrictions in the UK that prevent his family from visiting him weigh heavily on his refusal. Julián is comfortable in Spain with his family and doesn’t want to relive situations from his time at Manchester City. However, the Argentine now views a return to English football differently.’
