Julian Alvarez performs Arsenal U-turn as Atletico refusal causes transfer twist

While the 26-year-old was dropped from Diego Simeone's first-team for the Atleti's La Liga opener with Malaga on Wednesday, he featured on the bench for Saturday's match with Villarreal at home.

The majority of the Riyadh Air Metropolitano erupted with deafening boos and whistles as the Argentine's name and face were shown on the scoreboard to announce Atleti's line-up for the encounter, as Alvarez was pictured stony-faced in the dugout.

It comes after Alvarez admitted that he would like to explore his options ahead of next week's transfer deadline, with interest coming from Arsenal and Barcelona, despite Atletico Madrid citing how he is not for sale under any circumstances.

While Alvarez initially ruled out a return to English soil, he is now understood to be warming to the idea of joining the Gunners, especially considering Atleti are refusing to negotiate with their league rivals in Barca as a result of a toxic relationship.

football.london understands that Alvarez remains a key target for Arsenal, and with fans making it clear that the forward is no longer welcome in the Spanish capital, could opt to make a move ahead of deadline day.

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The Daily Mail reports that Alvarez was 'left so stunned by the hostility he faced from Atletico Madrid fans on Sunday' that the prospect of moving to Arsenal is no longer off the table. The report adds that Atletico's refusal to negotiate with Barca may push the striker to the Emirates.

While Atletico Madrid were initially demanding that interested parties paid Alvarez's £427million release clause to have any hope of signing him, it is now reported that their valuation has dropped significantly.

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The Athletic recently reported that Atleti would be willing to do business with the Gunners for around £128m.

That figure is just shy of a £130m proposal submitted by Real Madrid ahead of the World Cup, albeit, circumstances have now changed dramatically.

Alvarez, who emerged as a 66th minute substitute for his parent club during their 2-2 draw with Villarreal and was met with a similar reception to the one he saw ahead of kick-off, was escorted off the pitch by club staff at full-time.

Speaking after the match, Simeone explained that the club made that decision ahead of time.

He said: "People at the club told me that the club decided he shouldn’t go near the stands or the fans. It was the club’s decision to keep him away and separate him so he could go to the locker room."

He added: "I’m not here to give advice. What I have to do is concentrate on my work, which is, from a sporting sense, to give my best for Atletico Madrid.

"The only thing I know is that if Atletico Madrid want to win a title, we need to be together, we need to have forwards, and we need to have important forwards. And for that, we need to work on it as a result, everyone, on what we need."

The summer transfer window slams shut on Tuesday, September 1, meaning Arsenal will have to put the proverbial wheels in motion should they hope to secure Alvarez for 2026/27.