The Julian Alvarez saga has calmed down somewhat in recent days, as Barcelona appear to have finally realised that the door to his transfer from Atletico Madrid has been shut for good.
Atletico Madrid's board have not shifted their stance since the window opened: they cannot allow their star to join a rival. So Barcelona have turned to other options, and Lautaro Martinez, the Inter Milan captain and Alvarez's Argentina team-mate, looks like the first choice.
Alvarez faces a difficult situation, forced to stay put at Atletico Madrid. His return to the pitch threatens a fiery reception, especially after fans raised banners and chanted at him in recent days with slogans that carried no warmth whatsoever. A reconciliation looks highly unlikely. And now a new option has emerged for the player.
Arsenal are the club in question, having lodged an initial offer a few days ago. Alvarez, still determined to join Barcelona, turned it down.
Yet according to several media outlets such as "AS" and "Sport", the Atletico Madrid striker has changed his mind. Word now is that he would not necessarily reject a fresh offer from Arsenal.
Barcelona remain his priority. But with the situation in Madrid deteriorating, he may find no option other than a move to England. Right now he has just two roads open: stay in Madrid in an extremely difficult position, or return to England. Atletico, after all, are willing to sell him to the London club, unlike what is happening with Barcelona.