Arsenal given Julian Alvarez hope in push to sign Atletico Madrid forward before transfer deadline

Arsenal have been given encouragement that a Julian Alvarez deal may be possible before the end of the window, as the Premier League champions actively work on a deal.

Atletico Madrid want €150m (£128.4m) for the attacker, who enjoyed a fine World Cup with Argentina, including an extra-time screamer to help down Switzerland in the quarter-finals.

There is still a long way to go before any deal is possible, but the London club are attempting to negotiate that price down, while the Kroenke ownership are taking the view they did on Vinicius Junior, which is that they are willing to back the right big move.

There is naturally awareness that Arsenal could get caught in similar Spanish football politics as they did with the Real Madrid star, since Alvarez's long-desired stance has been to stay in the country and go to Barcelona.

Atletico have nevertheless remained unmoved in their stance that they absolutely will not sell to their Catalan rivals, which has caused some re-assessments from the 26-year-old, who was loudly booed by his fans after entering the game against Villarreal at the weekend.

Mikel Arteta is intent on bringing in a left-sided attacker to complete the champions' summer business, and Alvarez had been the most valued target after Vinicius Junior. The Arsenal manager is understood to have long seen a very specific role for the Argentine forward in the team, given his technical qualities and the mobility he can bring to the attack.

The club have been looking at Kenan Yildiz, who remains an option, though Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti insists the club are “very calm” about his future remaining in Turin.

There is therefore belief that Alvarez could be an even better fit for exactly what Arteta wants.

Much like with Vinicius, Arsenal have been working on a potential transfer for months, going back into last season.

Both the fee and negotiations with Atletico could also be smoothed by players potentially going the way. Viktor Gyokeres or Gabriel Martinelli could serve as makeweights in any deal. The Brazilian's future is already in doubt, having been left out of Arsenal's squad against Coventry City, amid Al Hilal's interest.