Arsenal Still Chasing Alvarez as Atletico Line Up Cover
Atletico Madrid have opened loan talks for Juventus striker Jonathan David, a move that could clear Julian Alvarez's path out of Spain.
Arsenal's Interest in the Argentina Forward
Arsenal remain interested in signing Julian Alvarez, the 26-year-old Argentina forward who plays for Spanish club Atletico Madrid. BBC Sport, citing Teamtalk, reports that the Premier League side are actively working to make a potential move to London easier for the player and his entourage.
The Standard reports that Arsenal have emerged as Alvarez's most likely destination, though it adds that the player is thought to be hesitant about returning to English football. Whether Arsenal will actually make a bid remains to be seen.
According to The Standard, time is short. The transfer window is due to close on Tuesday night.
A Summer of Failed Attempts to Leave
The Standard reports that Alvarez has spent much of the summer trying to engineer a move away from Atletico Madrid, with Barcelona understood to be his preferred destination. Those efforts have so far come to nothing.
According to the same report, Alvarez publicly asked to leave the club in an interview at the World Cup and subsequently failed to report for training on multiple occasions, citing illness. Atletico are said to be adamant that they will not sell to Barcelona, whom they regard as a direct rival.
He has since returned to training. He was not in the matchday squad for Saturday's trip to face Sevilla.
Atletico's Move for Jonathan David
Atletico appear to have started planning for life without Alvarez. The Standard, citing transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, reports that the club have lodged a formal offer to sign Juventus forward Jonathan David on loan with an option to buy, with the two clubs now in talks.
David, a Canada international, is said to be open to the move, but Juventus are reported to want a replacement of their own before letting him go. He joined the Italian club from Lille last summer and scored six times in 36 Serie A appearances.
The Standard frames the approach as a sign that Atletico are bracing either for Alvarez to leave or for him to play a reduced role this season if he stays. The sources do not say what fee, if any, Arsenal would be willing to pay.
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