Atletico Madrid would be prepared to accept Arsenal’s offer for Julian Alvarez which would include Viktor Gyokeres moving in the other direction.
Alvarez is regarded as a top transfer target at the Emirates with the Premier League champions hoping to lure him to north London this summer.
Barcelona is his preferred destination however with the former Manchester City star revealing during the World Cup he has already spoken to Atletico about completing his ‘dream’ move to the Camp Nou.
‘I spoke with the people at [Atletico] I needed to speak with, and the best thing for everyone is a transfer. I want to fulfil my dream,’ Alvarez said after Argentina’s win over Austria at the World Cup last month.
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‘It’s not the time to talk about this, but I also can’t hide it. I try to be an honest person.’
Atletico are determined not to sell to Barcelona, however, enraged with what they regard as a public and disrespectful pursuit of the 26-year-old. An opening bid of €100million (£86.4m) has already been rejected by Atletico who are so far refusing to do business with the Catalan giants.
While they are determined to hold onto their player, Atletico would rather sell Alvarez to Arsenal if left with no other option.
Cadena SER report the prospect of Alvarez returning to England is now a growing possibility with Arsenal’s offer of Gyokeres plus for €60m (£51.7m) under strong consideration.
The report explains Atletico want to have a ‘mature conversation’ with Alvarez as soon as possible with the player currently on his summer break following Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain.
They intend to reiterate they will not strengthen a direct rival in Barcelona but if he remains determined to leave, then Arsenal’s offer is the most likely deal to go through given it also solves the immediate problem of finding a replacement.
Privately, Atletico will consider cashing in if they cannot reach an understanding. But speaking last week, Atletico’s chief executive, Miguel Angel Gil Marin, insisted that the club would not sell Alvarez for any price this summer.
‘I have no doubt Atletico is the place in the world for Julian and Julian is the perfect striker for Atletico Madrid,’ Gil Marin said.
‘We want to consvtinue counting on him. We do not want to transfer him. We did not accept an offer of €100 million, and we will not accept one of €150m or €200m.’
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