Arsenal look to have been handed yet another Julian Alvarez transfer twist with Atletico Madrid again furious at Barcelona
Atletico Madrid are set to file a complaint to FIFA over what they believe to be Barcelona negotiating with Julian Alvarez. The Argentine has been strongly linked to an exit from the Spanish capital with Barca his most likely destination, though Arsenal are not entirely out of the race for his signature.
The La Liga champions have already seen a bid turned down with Atletico releasing several angry statements and now another one has been made, after Alvarez’s public transfer wish, with it stated by their CEO Gil Marin that a complaint to FIFA will be filed.
He said: “Our responsibility is to defend the interests of Atlético and that is why we are going to file a complaint with FIFA against Barcelona for negotiating with a player under an active contract during the protected period.”
Alvarez is currently away at the World Cup, and following Argentina’s win over Austria, he made quite the intriguing comment about his future.
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Speaking to ESPN, he said: “The best thing for me is a transfer and I want to fulfil my dream. I don’t want to hide or act like I don’t want to be clear. I try to be honest. I spoke to Atletico people and I think the best for everyone involved is for me to leave.”
Barcelona is quite clearly that dream but Arsenal becomes a serious option if he cannot seal a switch to the Camp Nou.
football.london understands, per sources involved in the secret talks that took place with Barcelona in late May, Arsenal have already pushed hard to sign Alvarez this summer.
However, it was made clear to them by the player’s representatives that he is eager to sign for Barcelona with the Gunners subsequently focusing their efforts on other targets.
Given the uncertainty surrounding Alvarez’s future, Atletico will almost certainly be eyeing up some replacements with Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres emerging as one of those.
Reports in Spain have stated that Atletico would prefer to negotiate with Arsenal for Alvarez over Barcelona and are proposing a €60m (£51.7m) fee plus Gyokeres for their striker.
However, with Gyokeres only joining the club last summer, it is difficult to see Mikel Arteta’s letting him go even if it means signing Alvarez.
Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers and Eli Kroupi Junior of Bournemouth are Arsenal’s attacking targets in addition to Alvarez.
