'Atletico would do the deal tomorrow' - Arsenal backed to agree player-exchange deal

Atletico Madrid would be happy to sell Julian Alvarez as part of a player-swap deal with Arsenal before the summer window closes.

That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider that striking an agreement with the La Liga giants is not the problem.

Mikel Arteta's side are huge admirers of the former Man City striker, and it is believed that the manager has already spoken to Alvarez over the phone.

The 26-year-old has expressed his desire to play for Barcelona, but clearly not in the right way, with Atletico fans absolutely furious with the striker.

Even if the Gunners were able to convince Alvarez to move to North London, the £130million price tag is another hurdle that would need overcoming.

Money is certainly no issue at the Emirates Stadium, but a player swap, including Viktor Gyokeres, might be a better idea for all parties.

Atletico Madrid 'happy' to take Viktor Gyokeres

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson believes that, rather than splashing eye-watering amounts of money, getting Gyokeres off the books makes more sense.

"It wouldn't surprise me if he stayed at Atletico, clearly, but I definitely don't think it's dead for Arsenal," he said.

"It's an absolutely enormous fee. Athletico would do the deal tomorrow. They even seem to be happy to take Gyokeres.

"So that's an amazing solution really for Arsenal. The question is whether it's a good idea to buy a player for €150m when you know that you don't really want to go.

"It's quite a call now really for Arsenal. He would be a great addition, let's be honest.

"You would make Arsenal's squad even better and the squad is already excellent. So it'd be great for them to get him."

Mikel Arteta unusually direct over Julian Alvarez

Unsurprisingly, Arteta has been quizzed on the Gunners' reported interest, but the manager has been far from open with the media.

"Don't go there. I'm not going to make comments about players from other clubs," Arteta said when asked about Arsenal potentially signing Alvarez.

Gyokeres' future has also been a talking point, but the Spaniard is adamant that the Sweden international will be going nowhere this summer.

That could all change, of course, if Alvarez changes his mind and the two clubs go into talks over a player-swap deal. But for now, nothing is happening.