Arsenal handed Julian Alvarez update as Barcelona chief aims dig at Atletico

Arsenal were looking to sign a new forward in the summer, having seen Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard all leave the club.

It became clear, though, that Alvarez’s preference was to join Barcelona, but Atletico refused to allow a deal to happen, despite intense speculation that the 26-year-old striker could potentially leave the Spanish capital.

With the transfer window closing a few weeks ago, Barcelona president Laporta has criticised Atletico for their behaviour throughout the drama that surrounded Alvarez’s future.

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He said: "They acted offended; they had no way to justify their attitude. We did what's usually done: there was club-to-club communication, and then I spoke personally with Gil Marín. He told me he wasn't coming because they had no alternative.

"Then they reacted inappropriately. I don't know why, I can imagine, but I have no proof. We were hearing that they would sell him to every club except Barça. Then they dropped the pretense and said it openly.

"That is now in the past and we are very happy with the squad we have and the coach is very happy with the extraordinary work of Deco."

Alvarez has featured just once in La Liga for Atletico Madrid following the end of the transfer window, having been sidelined for the previous two fixtures due to injury.

Discussing the controversy over his future, ex-Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin commented: "Julian Alvarez is a fantastic player.

"He must be a great guy, but I think he made a mistake... The fans' anger is completely understandable. We all get that someone might want to leave, but it's about how you leave, the way you go about it.

"I think we all agree that he messed up. Now he'll have to face the music, and if he wants to repair the relationship, he needs to make good gestures toward the fans."

He added: "I don't know if Julian Alvarez will be able to repair the relationship. It cost Antoine [Griezmann] an enormous amount of effort, and with Julian, we'll see... Time will tell, but what's certain is that people will expect him, at the very least, to give everything on the pitch whenever he gets his chance."

Atletico Madrid return to action this Sunday afternoon when they face city rivals Real Madrid in the derby.

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