Atletico Madrid have insisted there is a 0% chance Julian Alvarez will join Barcelona this summer, while Arsenal remain linked with a potential swap deal involving Gabriel Jesus or Viktor Gyokeres. The transfer window closes at 11pm on September 1.
Atletico release angry statement
Atletico Madrid have released a strong statement regarding speculation linking Barcelona with a swoop for Alvarez. However, they have reiterated that their star man will not be heading to the Camp Nou this summer, potentially boosting Arsenal's chances of landing the ex-Man City forward.
The 26-year-old Argentinian is thought keen to move to the Catalan side. Yet in a statement to Marca, Atletico said: “There is a 0% chance of selling Julian Alvarez to Barcelona. The player is being portrayed as the victim, but the only victims of the Julian saga are us. This is about dignity.”
Atleti drew 2-2 with Villarreal on Sunday, with the forward booed by his own fans. The sight of Alvarez walking away from his team-mates as they were applauding the Atletico fans has only fuelled more transfer speculation.
Simeone explains fan interaction decision
Atletico manager Diego Simeone said Alvarez and the club had both decided he should not interact with fans in the stadium while the saga is ongoing. The Atletico manager said: "It was a club decision to not let Julian Alvarez go over with his teammates to greet the fans."
Before the Villarreal game, Simeone reaffirmed that he wants to keep hold of the forward. "For me, Julian is an extremely important player for us to achieve our objectives," he said. "As long as he's with the team, I'm going to look after him."
Potential swap deal involving Gyokeres
While Alvarez is believed to harbour dreams of moving to Barca, he is also thought to be open to joining Arsenal. According to the Independent, Atletico want the saga to be resolved one way or another by Friday.
The report also claims that the Gunners could hold an advantage by virtue of the fact they have two players that "appeal" to Atletico in Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyokeres. It is claimed that there's a possibility that one – or both – could be included in a potential swap deal, alongside a fee.
It's not clear how Arsenal would respond if countenanced with such an offer, although they did make clear earlier in the summer that Gyokeres was a firm part of their plans for this season. Indeed, he came off the bench in the Community Shield victory over Man City. With the close of the transfer window now looming, it could be a case of watch this space if they want to get a deal for Alvarez over the line.
