Julian Alvarez wants to leave Atletico Madrid this summer and Arsenal have been given confidence that they can strike a deal
Julian Alvarez is free to leave Atletico Madrid and join Arsenal if a certain significant figure is met
Julian Alvarez is free to leave Atletico Madrid and join Arsenal if a certain significant figure is met(Image: (Photo by Cesar Cebolla / Pressinphoto / Icon Sport))
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Atletico Madrid would reportedly be prepared to do business with Arsenal for Julian Alvarez at a staggering €150million (£128m). The 26-year-old was strongly linked to Barcelona and Real Madrid earlier in the window, but the Gunners are now also interested in taking on his services.
Diego Simeone's side have no plans to let him join a domestic rival which all but rules out a move to Real and Barca. Their stance over selling him at all has slightly changed, however, which has given Arsenal some hope of signing him.
Having signed him from Manchester City for just over £80m, the La Liga side would want to earn a profit from selling him. A triple-figure fee will almost certainly be required and according to The Athletic, their demands are roughly €150m (£128m).
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Their report claims that Arsenal are awaiting encouragement from his camp after making initial contact last week. That is yet to arrive with Alvarez still holding out for Barcelona as his dream club.
Approaches from Hansi Flick's side have been rejected while Atletico's decision to turn down a £130m offer from Real Madrid was announced publicly before the World Cup started.
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In the last few days, having had time off after Argentina reached the tournament's final, Alvarez has returned to action for Atleti where he was escorted off the pitch by club staff at full-time after being booed heavily by the home support following their 2-2 draw against Villareal.
Speaking after the incident, Simeone said: ”People at the club told me that the club decided he shouldn’t go near the stands or the fans. It was the club’s decision to keep him away and separate him so he could go to the locker room.”
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone
Diego Simeone has spoken plenty about Arsenal transfer target Julian Alvarez
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He later added: “I’m not here to give advice. What I have to do is concentrate on my work, which is, from a sporting sense, to give my best for Atletico Madrid.
“The only thing I know is that if Atletico Madrid want to win a title, we need to be together, we need to have forwards, and we need to have important forwards. And for that, we need to work on it as a result, everyone, on what we need.”
Arsenal face a real fight to sign Alvarez but it is not impossible he joins as football.london understands there would be more than amicable talks if a triple-figure proposal was put forward. A deal for the ex-Manchester City star could be funded by Gabriel Martinelli, who is in talks to join Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal.