Arsenal and Barcelona have both been linked with Julian Alvarez during this summer window, but Atletico Madrid are reluctant to sell the Argentina international
Julian Alvarez smiling after scoring for Atletico Madrid
Julian Alvarez wants to sign for Barcelona from Atletico Madrid(Image: Getty Images)
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Barcelona are reportedly preparing an offer to sign Lautaro Martinez from Inter as an alternative to Julian Alvarez.
Arsenal are also linked with the Argentina international, whom Mikel Arteta is believed to be a big fan of from their time working together at Manchester City. Alvarez, however, apparently has his heart set on signing for the Catalan club this summer.
Atletico continue to block a move to their La Liga rivals, though, which is said to have left them moving for other options as they enter this season without a recognised centre-forward. Martinez is now seemingly emerging as a possibility.
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El Chiringuito claim Barcelona's head coach, Hansi Flick, and sporting director, Deco, are very keen on signing Alvarez's international team-mate. The latter is said to have met with their football co-ordinator, Bojan, and Martinez's agent, Alejandro Camano, in Madrid last week.
The reporting adds that they have effectively already reached an agreement in principle with the player on a contract. An opening offer from Barcelona will apparently not exceed £86million (€100million).
However, much like Atletico, Inter are not keen on selling their striker, who also captains the Milanese club. Gazzetta dello Sport stresses that they are not contemplating his departure.
Fans in Madrid, however, are making their feelings known about Alvarez, displaying several signs around the club's Sports City that say "JULIAN OUT" and have his shirt number 19 crossed out. Supporters shared similar sentiments before yesterday's La Liga opener against Malaga.
A banner unfurled earlier in the week read: "Julian, thank you for the respect you are having for us, a**hole. Barca and your circle have deceived you like a capricious child. Our Atleti above all."
Alvarez was not in the matchday squad at Metropolitano Stadium last night. He has not featured for Atletico at all since last season.
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