Arsenal remain interested in a late move for Julian Alvarez as the Argentine’s future at Atletico Madrid grows increasingly toxic.
The 26-year-old was booed and whistled by his own supporters during Atletico’s 2-2 draw with Villarreal on Sunday, August 23.
Alvarez came off the bench in the second half and left the pitch alone at full-time after being advised by club officials not to approach the fans.
Atletico Madrid set high price for Alvarez exit
Alvarez has made his desire to leave Atletico clear this summer, with Barcelona his preferred destination. However, the Spanish club have repeatedly refused to sell him to their La Liga rivals.
Atletico are understood to be open to offers of around €150m (£128m) from Arsenal, having already rejected a reported bid of that value from Real Madrid earlier in the window.
Sources close to the club suggest a move to the Premier League champions is viewed as more realistic than a switch to Camp Nou.
Arsenal have long admired the former Manchester City forward and see him as a potential marquee addition.
Sporting director Andrea Berta is believed to have held talks with Atletico counterparts last week, though no formal bid has yet been lodged.
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Alvarez still determined to force exit
The World Cup winner joined Atletico from Manchester City in 2024 for around £81m and has scored regularly in Spain.
Yet his relationship with the club and its fans has deteriorated sharply after he publicly stated his wish to leave during the summer tournament.
While Alvarez’s heart remains set on Barcelona, the ongoing standoff has left Arsenal as the clearest alternative path out of Madrid before the window closes on September 1.
There have been suggestions of a slight softening in his stance in recent days, though nothing concrete enough to spark immediate excitement at the Emirates.
What Alvarez could bring to Arsenal
Arsenal have already strengthened considerably this summer but are still searching for a high-level forward.
Alvarez’s work rate, movement and goalscoring instinct would give Mikel Arteta another proven option in attack.
Still only 26, he arrives with Premier League experience and a proven ability to perform at the highest level. Whether that is enough to convince him to choose north London over Catalonia remains the biggest question.
With time running out and the atmosphere at Atletico becoming increasingly difficult, Alvarez’s next move could yet go one of three ways: a dramatic late switch to Arsenal, a stubborn stay in Madrid, or a last-gasp breakthrough with Barcelona.
