The Julian Alvarez affair has cooled in recent days, with Barcelona finally accepting that the door to a move from Atletico Madrid has slammed shut for good.
Atletico's hierarchy have held firm since the window opened: they simply will not sell their star to a rival. So Barca have looked elsewhere, and Lautaro Martinez, Inter Milan's captain and Alvarez's Argentina team-mate, appears to be their first choice.
You can discuss the topics and news in more depth on the "Kooora" forums
Stuck at Atletico, Alvarez faces an awkward situation. His return to the pitch promises a fiery reception, especially after fans unfurled banners and aimed chants at him in recent days that carried anything but affection. A reconciliation looks highly unlikely. Now a new option has emerged.
Arsenal are the club in question, and they tabled an initial offer a few days ago. Alvarez, still set on joining Barcelona, turned it down.
Yet according to several outlets such as "AS" and "Sport", the Atletico striker has had a change of heart, and word is he would not necessarily reject a fresh offer from Arsenal.
Barcelona remain his priority. But with his situation in Madrid getting worse, he may have no choice but to head to England. Right now he faces just two options: stay put in a very difficult spot, or return to the Premier League. And unlike Barca, Atletico are willing to sell to the London club.