La Liga giants now open to negotiating with Arsenal for marquee forward
Arsenal’s pursuit of Julian Alvarez could be entering its decisive stage, with Atletico Madrid reportedly willing to negotiate with the Gunners over the Argentina international.
The significant development concerns Atletico’s readiness to discuss Alvarez’s departure, having previously maintained throughout the summer that the forward was not for sale.
According to Atletico Play, the Spanish club have reassessed the 26-year-old’s situation and now consider Arsenal a genuine option, with a transfer no longer ruled out.
Atletico’s preference for Arsenal over Barcelona is not new, but SPORT now report that the Madrid club are actively pushing towards the Premier League option after definitively rejecting the possibility of strengthening their La Liga rivals.
Barcelona had been Alvarez’s preferred destination if he left Atletico, while the striker has previously been reluctant to return to English football following his spell with Manchester City.
That leaves Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta with the considerable task of convincing Alvarez that north London represents the right destination.
Arteta has reportedly spoken directly with the Argentine more than once during the summer, demonstrating Arsenal’s determination to pursue one of their most ambitious attacking targets.
SPORT claim the Gunners have proposed an extraordinary package involving €80million (£69m) plus Viktor Gyokeres in exchange for Alvarez.
That proposed structure should be treated cautiously at this stage, particularly with negotiations yet to produce an agreement, but it illustrates the scale of the deal being discussed in Spain.
Another potentially significant development involves Atletico sporting director Mateu Alemany, who reportedly travelled to London on Thursday.
His primary purpose is said to be negotiations with Chelsea over a possible loan move for Nicolas Jackson, although his presence in England comes while Atletico are also assessing Alvarez’s potential departure to Arsenal.
Jackson is being considered as another attacking option for Atletico, with Alexander Sorloth currently injured and uncertainty growing around Alvarez’s future.
SPORT report that Atletico are discussing a loan with an option to buy for the Chelsea striker, potentially giving the Spanish side greater flexibility should Alvarez depart.
Arsenal’s interest has persisted despite Alvarez initially making it clear that Barcelona was his preferred option, and Atletico’s refusal to entertain that destination has kept the Gunners firmly involved.
The situation is therefore becoming increasingly unusual.
Arsenal appear to have the cooperation of Atletico but must still convince the player, while Atletico are simultaneously exploring another attacking addition in London.
With the transfer deadline approaching, the circumstances are considerably more favourable to Arsenal than when Atletico regarded Alvarez as untouchable earlier this summer.
The Gunners still face a formidable challenge to complete one of the window’s biggest transfers, but Atletico’s willingness to negotiate means there is now a genuine route towards an agreement.
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