Arsenal make contact with Atletico Madrid over Julian Alvarez as Barcelona dream lingers

Arsenal have made direct contact with Atletico Madrid to discuss potential conditions for a Julian Alvarez deal, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano. A meeting took place in London with Atleti director Mateu Alemany, marking one of the clearest signs yet that the Premier League champions are serious about pursuing the Argentine forward before the transfer window closes.

Price remains the biggest obstacle standing in the way of any agreement. Arsenal have reportedly tabled an opening bid of £103 million plus £4 million in add-ons, but Atletico are said to be holding out for around £129 million, a gap that leaves the two clubs far from an agreement despite the direct talks.

Even if the financial terms are eventually bridged, Alvarez’s own stance complicates matters further. The forward has yet to open the door to a move to England, having made clear that Barcelona remains his only real preference amid the ongoing transfer saga.

However, talks with Barcelona appear to have hit a dead end, after Atletico Madrid rejected their offer for the player, making clear he wouldn’t be sold.

Atletico’s stance seems to be that they won’t sell the forward to a direct rival, having also rejected an offer from Real Madrid for Alvarez. That leaves Diego Simeone’s team potentially selling the Argentine to England instead, though his departure wouldn’t come cheap for Arsenal.

Atletico Madrid fans make their frustration with Alvarez clear

The tension between Alvarez and a section of Atletico’s fanbase escalated further on Friday morning, when banners appeared outside the club’s training facility in Majadahonda. One read simply “Julián out“, while another played on traffic sign imagery to read “19 forbidden“, a reference to Alvarez’s shirt number.

It’s the latest sign that the relationship between the forward and Atletico’s supporters has deteriorated significantly, following chants directed at him during LaLiga opener against Malaga.