**Arsenal have already had one approach rebuffed for Julian Alvarez, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.**
Both the Gunners and Paris Saint-Germain have made attempts to persuade the Argentinian international into joining their teams, but Romano says the player has his heart set on a move to Barcelona:
“PSG tried to enter the Julian Alvarez story, and he said, ‘Thanks, but I want to go to Barcelona’. Arsenal also tried to make an approach to Atletico Madrid and Alvarez’s camp to understand the situation, but the answer was exactly the same.”
“Now, we have to understand what Atletico Madrid will do with these two clubs. PSG have gone very cold. Arsenal – in case the doors open again in the next weeks – we have to see what happens.”
“In this story, Barcelona remain strong with the agreement with the player. They know that the player wants to go there. When Alvarez says, ‘I want to fulfil my dream’, the dream is Barcelona.”
Barcelona are not expected to table a 2nd bid
---------------------------------------------
As things stand, Alvarez’s preferred next club are unlikely to make a follow-up offer for the former Manchester City player.
Atletico knocked back a €100m (£86m) proposal earlier this month, and Barca are not willing to enter further talks until Alvarez’s club soften their stance.
That may give Arsenal a way back in if Alvarez and his representatives realise a move to the Camp Nou is not possible, but we are not at that point yet.
Arsenal have other moves in the works
-------------------------------------
Alvarez has been on the London club’s radar for several years, so it is not a surprise that they tried their luck with an enquiry.
However, sporting director Andrea Berta does have plenty of other options to pursue. A move for Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers is expected to be made, while there is also interest in PSG’s Bradley Barcola.
A central midfielder is likely to be brought in too, with Lille’s [**Ayyoub Bouaddi**](https://goonernews.com/blog/arsenal-transfer-news-ayyoub-bouaddi-4/)‘s name featuring prominently on the Gunners’ shortlist, while a new right-back could be signed before the transfer window shuts.