Atletico prepared to sell Alvarez to Arsenal but there’s a problem

A report in Spain claims Atletico Madrid would rather sell Alvarez to Arsenal than Barcelona, but the Argentina international has other plans.

Mundo Deportivo claims Atletico Madrid are prepared to sell Julian Alvarez to Arsenal, but the Argentina striker has reportedly rejected the chance to return to the Premier League.

The Spanish outlet says Atletico would rather sell Alvarez to north London than strengthen rivals Barcelona, but the player is holding firm on where he wants to play next.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Atletico have accepted that Alvarez’s situation has become unsustainable and are now willing to negotiate his departure, albeit on their own terms.

The report claims the Madrid club have maintained their veto on a move to Barcelona, despite the Catalan side remaining the striker’s preferred destination.

Instead, Arsenal are said to have been offered the opportunity to sign Alvarez because of the Gunners’ long-standing interest.

However, the report also states Alvarez has no intention of returning to England after leaving Manchester City in 2024 and has already rejected the possibility of joining Arsenal, with his priority remaining a move to Barcelona.

Mundo Deportivo says Atletico believe Arsenal could also help solve another problem.

The report claims Viktor Gyokeres has been offered to several clubs, including Barcelona, and is viewed as a player Diego Simeone would be willing to welcome if Alvarez departs.

Despite Atletico’s reported willingness to negotiate, the Spanish publication says the player’s stance has left the transfer at a standstill.

It adds that Alvarez’s relationship with the club has deteriorated further, pointing to the fact he was not included in the squad for the match against Malaga and did not attend the game.

According to the report, Atletico now expect Alvarez to leave before the transfer window closes, but it also concludes that, for now at least, he is no more likely to wear an Arsenal shirt than he is to remain in Madrid, with the striker continuing to favour a move to Barcelona.

• The law says Arsenal deserved a penalty, but should it really work that way?
  Arsenal head into the break five points clear, but another refereeing debate and a chaotic weekend elsewhere ensured the talking points did not stop there.
• How is Gabriel Martinelli getting on with Al-Hilal?
  Gabriel Martinelli has largely made a strong start to life with Al-Hilal, but he remains absent from Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad after a recent injury.
• RB Leipzig hoping for up to £75m for Arsenal target
  RB Leipzig remain reluctant to sell Antonio Nusa in the January transfer window, amid new links with a move to Arsenal.
• White: England fans don’t know full story
  Ben White has suggested he wouldn’t do anything differently if he had his time with England again, and that if fans knew the full story they might not boo him.
• 18yo Arsenal international pulls out of break with injury
  Arsenal youngster Ceadach O’Neill has been forced to withdraw from the international break due to injury, with Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill expressing his disappointment.