Arsenal have received fresh encouragement in their pursuit of Julian Alvarez after Atletico Madrid‘s tense draw with Villarreal.
The 26-year-old has pushed for an exit during the closing stages of the summer transfer window.
Barcelona remain his preferred destination, while Arsenal have positioned themselves as the main Premier League alternative.
Atletico have refused to sell Alvarez to Barcelona and have instead opened the door to Premier League interest.
The Spanish club want around €150 million (£128m) before considering a sale. Arsenal have already held direct talks with Atletico representatives in London.
Sporting director Andrea Berta has strong ties with the Spanish club, while Mikel Arteta remains keen on bringing Alvarez back to England.
The biggest obstacle has always been Alvarez’s reluctance to return to the Premier League. His preference for Barcelona kept Arsenal from making decisive progress earlier in the window.
However, the situation changed after Atletico’s 2-2 draw with Villarreal. According to AS, Julian Alvarez has softened his stance on joining Arsenal after Atletico supporters heavily booed and jeered him.
The hostility began before he entered the pitch and continued when he came on during the second half. Alvarez then went straight down the tunnel after full time.
That reaction has increased uncertainty around his future and given Arsenal renewed hope of completing a record-breaking move.
Atletico now accept that the current situation cannot continue, although they still refuse to negotiate with Barcelona. Arsenal therefore have a clearer route if they meet the asking price.
Chelsea have also asked about Alvarez during talks with Atletico over Nicolas Jackson. However, Arsenal remain further advanced after laying more groundwork for a possible deal.
The Gunners are financially capable of breaking their transfer record, but Alvarez still has to fully accept a move to England.
With the September 1 deadline approaching, Arsenal have received a major boost, but they still need the player’s final approval before pushing ahead.
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