The future of Argentine Julian Alvarez has taken a fresh turn that could reshape the deal in the closing days of the transfer window. The Atletico Madrid striker has refused to move to Arsenal, despite manager Mikel Arteta personally intervening to persuade him to join the English side, according to Basel Tabbal, the beIN Sports correspondent in Barcelona.
Tabbal reports that Atletico Madrid have no objection to Alvarez leaving for Arsenal. The player, though, insists on rejecting the option, and that leaves the Madrid club in an awkward spot. The Argentine still clings to his desire to move to Barcelona, his preferred destination.
These developments extend an escalating crisis between Alvarez and Atletico. It began when the player announced, during Argentina's World Cup campaign, his desire to leave the club to achieve what he called his "dream", comments widely read as a wish to move to Barcelona.
Alvarez had explained that he spoke with Atletico officials and those concerned with his future, and that he saw leaving as the best option for everyone. That opened the door to a scramble for his services, with Barcelona, Arsenal and other clubs all keen to sign him.
But the crisis did not stop at the player's desire to leave. Atletico refuse to smooth his move to Barcelona, unwilling to strengthen a direct rival in La Liga.
A switch to Arsenal, by contrast, looks far more palatable to the Madrid club's board, which explains why Arteta tried to sell the player on the English project himself.
Recent reports say Arsenal remain strongly interested in Alvarez, despite knowing he prefers Barcelona. The English club have tried to exploit the strained relationship between the striker and Atletico to force the deal through in their favour.
Alvarez's return to training has only sharpened the situation for Atletico. AS report that the club are waiting for the player to apologise and knuckle down with the team, while insisting the board will not open negotiations over a departure to Barcelona, whatever the speculation about his future.
Barcelona, meanwhile, face a hugely complex equation. The Catalan club rank Alvarez among their attacking targets, and the player wants to wear their shirt. Getting the deal done, though, means overcoming Atletico's stance and swallowing financial terms that would weigh heavily on the club's coffers.