RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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French football expert Julien Laurens believes Julian Alvarez "still isn't opening the door" to Arsenal, despite Atletico Madrid insisting there is "0% chance" of selling him to "dream" destination Barcelona this summer.
The 26-year-old has been the subject of intense transfer speculation this summer and, after being booed by Atletico Madrid fans on Sunday during their draw with Villarreal, he missed training on Wednesday because he was reportedly unwell.
But has the transfer fiasco opened the door for Arsenal?
"This situation isn't ideal, although Julian Alvarez's football qualities would fit this Arsenal team, and the way Mikel Arteta plays, so brilliantly," Laurens said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Euro Leagues podcast.
"They might be thinking: 'OK, he wants to go to Barcelona but if that doesn't happen then we are here. If he opens the door, we can make this happen.'
"It is a move that could win him more trophies. Let's not forget, he has already completed football by winning everything possible - from the Premier League, to the Champions League, to the World Cup, to the Copa America and the Copa Libertadores.
"But, if Atletico Madrid really want 150m euros for Alvarez, he isn't worth that. That isn't the right valuation.
"If he was really keen to go to Arsenal, this would have evolved already. Time is running out now.
"I think as soon as he felt Barcelona wasn't happening, he would have looked at what other interest he had, he would have seen Arsenal was still an option and he would have done that deal already.
"The fact he hasn't shows me he definitely isn't opening the door to Arsenal."
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