Atletico Madrid's board of directors has issued a statement backing the club's stance not to sell Julian Alvarez to Barcelona. Atletico have been left furious by the way Hansi Flick's side have tried to sign the Argentine.
Arsenal are also linked with the ex-Manchester City forward, and it has been claimed by Argentine outlet BolaVIP that Atletico are willing to sell him to Arsenal. The 26-year-old failed to attend training for the second consecutive day, citing illness as the explanation for his absence.
Board backs club's position
His preference has been to move to the Nou Camp, but it is also understood he is open to moving to Arsenal. While Atletico's latest statement made no reference to the Gunners, their stance regarding Barcelona's pursuit of him is unequivocal.
They wrote: "The members of Atlético Madrid's Board of Directors have unanimously expressed their full support for the club's decision not to negotiate the transfer of Julián Alvarez to FC Barcelona. The members of the Board of Directors are aware that:"
"Atlético Madrid is open to negotiations that are part of the transfer market, but always in an ethical and professional manner and with respect between clubs."
"We fully support the position previously communicated by the club that FC Barcelona have not met these requirements and, as a result, there have been no negotiations, nor will there be any negotiations with them regarding the transfer of Julián Alvarez."
Arsenal's attacking search
Arsenal have been searching for a high-profile attacking acquisition throughout the summer. They have already missed out on Morgan Rogers, who chose to join Chelsea instead, and Vinicius Junior, who penned fresh terms with Real Madrid.
Atletico boss Diego Simeone recently confirmed that Alvarez was instructed to head straight down the tunnel rather than acknowledge supporters by the club's coaching staff.
He said: "People at the club told me that the club decided he shouldn't go near the stands or the fans. It was the club's decision to keep him away and separate him so he could go to the locker room."
Gunners' summer business
Arsenal have splashed the cash this summer on Ezri Konsa, Bruno Guimaraes, Piero Hincapie, Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier. However, aside from Tzolis' arrival from Club Brugge, there have been few reinforcements to the attacking ranks.
The Gunners are also braced to lose Gabriel Martinelli, with the Brazilian poised for a switch to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Hilal.
