Atletico block Alvarez exit amid Arsenal interest

The future of Julian Alvarez and Martin Zubimendi could intersect. According to some rumors coming from Spain, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid are reportedly evaluating a double deal that involves two players who arrived in the summer with high expectations but have been protagonists of difficult moments. The Madrid club has blocked his departure.

The Argentine striker has scored only two goals in twelve appearances, against the twenty goals he netted in forty‑nine matches last season. Despite the difficult spell, Diego Simeone continues to defend him and, after the defeat to Barcelona, reiterated the need to find “the better Julian”, convinced that the striker can become decisive again.

Arsenal remains interested in the 2000‑born, considering him a possible offensive reinforcement, although the former River player had turned down a Premier move in the summer. Martin Zubimendi has not managed to establish himself as a starter at Arsenal: in the Premier League he has logged just one hundred minutes without ever starting, while his total minutes across all competitions amount to three hundred and eighty. Over the summer the player has also been followed by Real Madrid, which could see him as an alternative solution for Atletico.