Julian Alvarez
Julian Alvarez has just days to depart Atletico Madrid(Image: Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
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Arsenal are set to wave goodbye to three players as they prepare their final swoop for Julian Alvarez. Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira are both nearing exits in the final days of the transfer window, and Gabriel Martinelli is expected to complete his move to Al Hilal.
The Gunners have agreed a deal with Barcelona to facilitate the exit of Jesus. It is understood that the Catalan club will pay £8.57million, with further add-ons available.
Jesus had trained away from his team-mates after being made available for a move and Barcelona have won the race, having moved on from their bid to sign Atletico Madrid's Alvarez. The forward is set to undergo a medical on Monday.
Vieira, meanwhile, is finally set to return to Hamburg, having spent time on loan at the club last season. football.london understands that Arsenal will receive £7.7m for the winger's services and that he arrived in Germany on Sunday ahead of his medical.
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Arsenal are set to receive a record fee from Al Hilal for Martinelli. A deal worth up to £55.7m has been agreed with the Saudi Pro League side.
The moves set up a big few days before the transfer window closes on Tuesday. Arsenal will hope that Barca's move for Jesus will convince Alvarez to look elsewhere, with Atletico Madrid refusing to do business with their Catalan counterparts.
Atletico have instructed Alvarez to make a decision on his future today, with the forward returning to training after missing their game against Sevilla following illness. Arsenal's flurry of business could focus their minds on landing one last blockbuster deal before the market closes.
Alvarez is said to have told Arteta that he did not want to join Arsenal when the pair spoke. Whether his mind can be changed with the prospect of a move to Barcelona all but over remains to be seen.
After reports of Arteta 's conversation with Alvarez materialised, the Spaniard was asked if he had spoken to the Gunners' target during his press conference. Arteta answered: "Don't go there."
"Publicly, I never ask them," he added. "I think it's more private to get the feeling that if it's something unique, an attachment, a feeling, that they really want to join us, and they have that desire to come and be part of our family."
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