Julian Alvarez don absent imself from Atletico Madrid training since dem tell am for private say di club no go sell am to Barcelona. According to BBC Sport, di striker don miss two days of training because e dey sick, but di real matter na say im only way out na move to Arsenal.
Atletico don make am clear for public statements twice say dem no go allow Alvarez join Barcelona. Dem even release one statement wey talk say “There is 0% chance of selling him to Barca.” Di club board also express absolute support for di decision not to negotiate with Barcelona.
But Atletico dey open to sell Alvarez to Arsenal. Dem don hold direct talks with di Premier League champions. Atleti director Mateu Alemany bin dey London last week, wey im meet with Arsenal people and make dem know say dem go demand 150 million euros, na about £128 million.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta really want sign Alvarez this month, but im desire to join Barcelona don make Arsenal comot hand. However, discussion between Atletico and Arsenal for club-to-club agreement don dey positive. If Alvarez give Arsenal green light, deal fit move quick quick.
Atletico CEO Miguel Angel Gil bin talk for Movistar on Thursday say “My personal dream is for Julian Alvarez to stay at Atleti. If he wants to leave, we go look for alternative, but he will never, ever, ever go to Barcelona.” Gil also talk say people don dey deceive and confuse Alvarez, and dem dey outraged by di lack of ethics from Barcelona.
Alvarez bin want join Barca, and Barcelona president Joan Laporta still dey talk say dem want sign am. But Atletico no gree at all. Marca, di big sports newspaper for Spain, get on-the-record quote from di club say “We are the only victims in this case. Barcelona don harm us both financially and socially. There is a zero-per-cent chance of selling him to Barcelona – it’s not about money, it’s about dignity.”
As for Arsenal, nothing don change. Dem still believe say signing Alvarez no go happen before deadline unless di player really push am. Sporting director Andrea Berta and Atletico CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin dey talk, but na so so summer. Dem bin dey work together for Atletico before and dem still close.
Atletico don start contingency plan, dem dey look for new striker. One player wey dey dia radar na Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres. Dem also like Nicolas Jackson, but e dey go Aston Villa. Di next 24 to 48 hours go determine wetin Alvarez want do—whether e go stay for Atletico or push for exit.
Alvarez don become very unpopular with Atletico fans, dem boo am off di pitch after di 2-2 draw with Villarreal on Sunday. According to journalist Ruben Uria, di situation don become “extremely tense.” Uria talk say Alvarez get two options: “Either you go to London, or you stay. We will never negotiate with Barcelona. It’s very clear, Julian decides.”
South American football expert Tim Vickery also yarn say Atletico get two options: dem fit keep player wey no want dey, or dem fit cash in. But dem no go sell to Barcelona or Real Madrid. So di other options dey for Premier League. Vickery talk say Arsenal go give fantastic narrative, and e fit be stepping stone to Barcelona later.
