Arsenal appear to be fighting a losing battle to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid.
The Gunners’ attempts to strengthen their forward line over the course of the summer window have thus far ended in frustration.
Morgan Rogers had been earmarked as their No.1 target but the Premier League champions were unwilling to meet Aston Villa’s valuation which contributed to the England international joining Chelsea.
Arsenal subsequently turned their attention to launching an ambitious bid for Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior, but that too ended in failure when the player committed his future to the Spanish giants and signed a new contract.
Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free.
Mikel Arteta opted against entering the running to sign Liverpool-bound Bradley Barcola and instead opted to sanction the pursuit of the unsettled Alvarez.
The Argentina, however, has his heart set on a move to Barcelona but his current employers are adamant he will not be allowed to join their La Liga rivals amid a toxic row between both clubs.
Having publicly declared it his dream to join Barcelona, Alvarez was left in no doubt as to his standing with Atletico’s fans last weekend when he was jeered before, during and after a home draw against Villarreal.
The 26-year-old has subsequently missed training all week and has, according to reports in Spain, been given until Sunday to decide whether or not he views Arsenal, who are willing to pay whatever it takes, as a viable option.
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Alvarez has given no indication at all that he wants to return to the Premier League despite holding talks with Mikel Arteta.
Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications.
‘At the time of reporting, there is a low chance that Julian Alvarez comes to Arsenal,’ he told TNT Sport.
Atletico Madrid would do a deal with Arsenal. Arsenal are prepared to reach a club-to-club agreement, but they would want the player to want to join them.
‘Alvarez has shown no indication of wanting to join at this point. He’s spoken to Mikel Arteta and said that he doesn’t want to come.
‘That could change, these situations are always movable, so I don’t want to say it won’t happen, but right now, it’s not developing.’
