Arsenal's patience on Julian Alvarez edges closer to paying off as Atletico block Barcelona

Arsenal are edging closer to signing Julian Alvarez after Atletico Madrid publicly declared they will “never, ever” sell the Argentina forward to Barcelona, leaving Mikel Arteta’s side as the primary destination for the 26-year-old.

The dramatic breakdown between Atletico and Barcelona came to a head on Thursday, when key representatives of both clubs — along with Arsenal — were present at the Champions League draw in Monaco. Atletico chief Gil Marin used the occasion to state that Alvarez was enduring “a difficult situation on both a personal and professional level”, caused by “people who have taken it upon themselves to deceive him, to confuse him”.

Arsenal had long anticipated this moment. As far back as May, the club were aware that Barcelona would struggle to make the finances work, and Arteta identified Alvarez as a priority target during last season — maintaining that interest even after learning that a move to the Catalan club was the player’s first preference. The calculation was straightforward: hold firm, and Barcelona’s financial constraints would eventually create an opening.

That opening now appears to have arrived. Multiple sources indicate that Alvarez was already giving increasing thought to joining Arsenal before Thursday’s public fallout, with intermediaries having impressed upon him that Arteta intends to deploy him in his best position and that the club represents a genuine route to Champions League success.

Atletico want some form of clarity from Alvarez as soon as Friday evening, compressing what is already a significant decision into a very short window.

Even if the player does commit to Arsenal in principle, a substantial negotiation lies ahead. Atletico are holding firm on a total package worth €150m — a figure that will test Arsenal’s resolve in the final stage of a pursuit that has already required considerable patience.

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta, who came from Atletico himself, is expected to play a central role in smoothing those negotiations. The club are also understood to be prepared to include an attacking player in any deal structure, which could prove important in bridging the gap with Diego Simeone’s side.