Atletico set strict deadline for Julian Alvarez to decide on future with ‘Arsenal and Man City both chasing transfer’

ATLETICO MADRID have set Julian Alvarez a deadline to decide his future, it’s been claimed. The LaLiga giants are sensationally open to selling the Argentina international before the transfer window closes next Tuesday. Julian Alvarez is uming and ahing over a move to Atletico Madrid Credit: PA Atletico have reportedly set the striker a deadline to decide his future Credit: GETTY Atletico are willing to let Alvarez leave, so long as they receive a whopping £128MILLION for his services. SunSport understands that Arsenal are hot on the heels of the World Cup winner. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! And in recent days, it’s been claimed Manchester City have held talks to RE-SIGN the striker. Alvarez, who has missed four days of training with his team-mates this week, is said to be umming and ahing over a move to the Emirates. And Sky Sports claim the frustrated Atleti brass have given the 26-year-old until SUNDAY to decide his future. Alvarez seemed dead set on leaving the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in June, saying: “I spoke with the people at [Atletico] I needed to speak with, and the best thing for everyone is a transfer. “I want to fulfil my dream. It’s ‌not the time ‌to talk about this. “But I also can’t ‌hide it. I try to be an honest person.” Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Alvarez is set to miss Atleti’s trip to the Ramon Sanchez Pijuan this evening to face Sevilla. The potential acquisition of Alvarez would be a major coup for Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, who has refused to be drawn on the potential blockbuster transfer. He said: “Very simple. Whatever you read, if you have a question, come and knock on my door, and I will tell you whether it is true or not. “Because a player in any position, if they read it, we could put a catalogue on the walls about all the players that we wanted in the last three months, and we would need the whole building. “They know that there’s so much speculation. Atletico have given Julian Alvarez until Sunday to decide his future Credit: ALAMY Mikel Arteta has refused to be drawn on Arsenal’s pursuit of the Argentine Credit: REUTERS “So if ever they feel the doubt of what we think about them, and if we’re going to recruit a player, I tell them straight away. “And if we’re going to sign somebody in their position, I normally tell them. “I say: ‘These are the plans and the reasons. “‘We still believe in you, but the competition is going to increase’. I prefer to do it that way.” Arsenal will be back in action on Bank Holiday Monday, travelling to Villa Park to take on Aston Villa. Comment now