Atletico Madrid's move for Jonathan David hints at Alvarez exit as Arsenal wait

Atletico Madrid have opened talks to sign Jonathan David on loan from Juventus, a move that could accelerate Julian Alvarez’s departure and hand Arsenal a significant boost on transfer deadline day.

Fabrizio Romano reports that Atletico have submitted a formal offer for the Canadian striker, with an option to buy included. The timing is notable: Arsenal have been pursuing Alvarez for weeks and remain willing to make the 26-year-old their record signing at a fee of approximately £128m, but the Argentine has yet to give manager Mikel Arteta the green light.

Atletico have previously blocked Alvarez’s preferred move to Barcelona, leaving Arsenal as the most credible suitors should he choose to leave the Spanish capital before the window closes at 11pm. Reports over the weekend suggested Alvarez had been given until Sunday to inform the club of his decision, though no announcement followed. He had missed three consecutive training sessions last week due to what Atletico described as an “indisposition”, before training alone on Friday and then rejoining the full squad on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Arsenal’s summer business has otherwise been largely completed. Sporting director Andrea Berta has brought in Illan Meslier as back-up goalkeeper to David Raya, Ezri Konsa to provide defensive cover for William Saliba, Christos Tzolis as an attacking option, and Bruno Guimaraes to share the midfield load with Declan Rice. Outgoings have also been resolved, with Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira both departing over the weekend.

The one gap that remains is a world-class forward. Arsenal failed to land Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Junior earlier in the window, making Alvarez their primary remaining target.

In a separate development, Turkish outlet Fanatik reports that Fenerbahce have opened talks with Arsenal over a deadline day loan move for 19-year-old midfielder Ethan Nwaneri, as the Istanbul club look to strengthen their midfield options.