Arsenal have been linked with Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez for some time but they aren't the only club exploring a move
Julian Alvarez as a child
Julian Alvarez nailed his colours to the mast as a youngster
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Old footage has emerged showing Julian Alvarez as a child in River Plate's academy and it might worry Arsenal fans. The Gunners remain keen on the Atletico Madrid star as the Spanish club aim to resist interest from Barcelona.
Unfortunately for the Premier League side, the uncovered video shows Alvarez's fondness for Barca goes back a long way. The striker is asked to name his favourite player and club and Barca get a double mention.
On the player front, it perhaps comes as no surprise that he names Lionel Messi, who at the time was still at Camp Nou, as his idol. When asked about teams, he says "River, Barca, Calchín (his hometown club) and the [Argentina] national team.
The young Alvarez also says his lifetime goal is to play at a World Cup. He has managed that twice, winning the lot in 2022 alongside Messi, though his dream of representing his international team-mate's old club may have to wait.
"The members of Atletico Madrid’s Board of Directors have unanimously expressed their full support for the club’s decision not to negotiate the transfer of Julian Alvarez to FC Barcelona," Atleti said in a strongly-worded statement on Thursday. "The members of the Board of Directors are aware that:
"Atletico Madrid is open to negotiations that are part of the transfer market, but always in an ethical and professional manner and with respect between clubs.
"We fully support the position previously communicated by the club that FC Barcelona have not met these requirements and, as a result, there have been no negotiations, nor will there be any negotiations with them regarding the transfer of Julián Alvarez.”
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Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez celebrate at the 2022 World Cup
Alvarez won the World Cup with his idol and former Barcelona star Lionel Messi(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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Alvarez has missed two recent Atleti training sessions, though this has been put down to illness. He wasn't involved in the first league match of the season against Malaga but came off the bench in a 2-2 draw at home to Villarreal on Sunday.
"We need strikers, good strikers. We have him, and we have to take care of him," manager Diego Simeone said after the former Manchester City star was jeered by sections of the home crowd during that match.
"I think we all need to be united. Julian is with us on the team, and as long as he's here, we're going to support him. We want the best for him because we know what he can contribute. It's an uncomfortable situation for everyone, but hopefully it will be resolved and we'll all be happy at the end of the season."