Arsenal transfer news: Julian Alvarez performing 'U-turn' amid Barcelona hijack hope

Arsenal have allegedly been handed fresh hope in their pursuit of Atletico Madrid attacker Julian Alvarez, who has left the door 'ajar' to joining the Premier League champions.

The former Manchester City marksman's future has been under the spotlight throughout the transfer window, as Arsenal and Barcelona battle to prise him away from Atletico, who in turn are fighting to keep him.

Over the past few days, Alvarez has sought to force an exit from the Metropolitano Stadium, and he was not involved in Atletico's La Liga opener against Malaga on Wednesday.

However, Diego Simeone has included the Argentina international in the squad to face Villarreal on Sunday, although the attacker's feelings on a potential exit have not shifted.

Barcelona have long been seen as the frontrunners for Alvarez's signature, as the La Liga champions scope out replacements for Robert Lewandowski and World Cup winner Ferran Torres.

Julian Alvarez performing Arsenal transfer U-turn?

Arsenal remain firmly in the picture, though, as according to Diario AS - via The Standard - Alvarez is now 'coming around' to the idea of returning to England's top flight with the Gunners.

While the 26-year-old still favours a switch to Barcelona, Atletico are determined not to sell to a direct domestic rival, boosting Arsenal's chances of a late transfer hijack.

Alvarez himself is apparently 'softening' his previously hardened stance on not going back to the English top flight, where he scored 20 goals in 67 games for Man City as Erling Haaland's understudy.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta remain in direct dialogue with Alvarez and his representatives, although the striker would still have reservations about heading back to the UK due to one key condition.

Alvarez would supposedly rather stay in Spain in order to be close to his family, and Atletico are under no major pressure to part ways with the 26-year-old, whose contract runs until 2030.

Alvarez has registered 49 goals and 17 assists in 106 matches for Atletico across all competitions and found the back of the net 20 times for Simeone's matches in the 2025-26 campaign.

Where would Julian Alvarez fit in at Arsenal?

With Kai Havertz scoring in back-to-back games, Viktor Gyokeres almost certain to stay and Gabriel Jesus no closer to a departure, it is natural to question the wisdom of Arsenal pushing for Alvarez.

The Argentine also functions best when deployed in a central role, and he has seldom played out wide on a consistent basis, making 56 career club appearances on the right or left according to Transfermarkt.

Gabriel Martinelli's absence from the matchday squads against Manchester City and Coventry City suggests that the Brazilian is surplus to requirements at Arsenal, although Arteta is seemingly minded to deploy Eberechi Eze on the left alongside Christos Tzolis, if Ethan Nwaneri sticks around to cover for Martin Odegaard.

However, if Nwaneri and Jesus depart, and if Gyokeres is tempted into a big-money exit before the window shuts, space will open up for Alvarez to play for the Premier League champions through the middle.