Arsenal tipped to agree Julian Alvarez part-exchange - 'there's a deal to be done'

Arsenal target Julian Alvarez's push to leave Atletico Madrid for Barcelona is an example of a developing problem in football.

That is the opinion of experienced former Everton, Tottenham and Aston Villa scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The 26-year-old's future has become the topic of the summer, with the Gunners hoping to capitalise on the war that has raged on between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Alvarez is desperate to join the Spanish champions but has been blocked from doing so by his club, to which he is under contract until 2030 after joining from Manchester City in 2024.

The Argentine has now been missing from training for two consecutive days, and looks to be burning any remaining bridges with Atleti.

Arsenal will offer the forward a route out of the club and are willing to meet the reported £128million asking price, but he is yet to indicate any desire to return to England.

Bryan King 'can't have' what Julian Alvarez is doing

The rise of player power has been a constant discussion over the past few years as cases like Alvarez's increase in frequency.

Alexander Isak was the big story of last summer's transfer window, with Newcastle United initially refusing to accept his departure to Liverpool.

The Swede fought for the move throughout the summer, refusing to train or play and eventually getting his wish on transfer deadline day.

It does not appear that Alvarez will have the same luck, however. On Thursday, Atleti released an official statement that once again ruled out any negotiations with Barcelona.

"Arsenal are still looking, aren't they?  I like him, the boy at Atletico Madrid. [But] again, we talk about what's wrong with football," King told Football Insider.

"There's something that's wrong with football. I'll read in one breath where [Diego] Simeone says, 'get rid of him', but he ain't going to Barcelona. His option also is Arsenal. He's a very good age. 26."

Asked about Arsenal's willingness to keep pushing for Alvarez, King continued: "I think the only reason if you're doing what you're doing is because he's a good player. He is a good player and I'm sure there's a [swap] deal to be done there with an Arsenal player.

"I'm sorry, but you can't have the player saying, 'I want to go here'. He's under contract. If the manager doesn't want him, then the manager says, 'I don't want him to go to Barcelona', but there again, how much will he cost?"

Why Mikel Arteta is walking back on his word

Speaking in 2020, Mikel Arteta said: "Everybody wants to come here and we have a really clear idea of what we are.

"It doesn't need much convincing and if they do, for me it's not a good starting point. If I have to convince a player to stay or to join us. To Arsenal? It holds me back a little bit.

"It has to be 'what do we have to do? I want to play for that club and represent exactly the values the style of play that I want'. That's the kind of emotion I want to hear at the start."

However, despite Alvarez's reluctance over a move to Arsenal, Arteta is willing to bring him in anyway. That is because the Gunners have reached a level in which improvement is difficult.

The Spaniard wants a world-class forward, and may have to put his usual rules on hold to bring one in.