Julian Alvarez: Arsenal still interested in Atletico Madrid forward despite player's preference to join Barcelona

Arsenal are still interested in Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez.

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta held the same role at Atleti before moving to the Emirates last year.

Atletico do not want to sell and there is a big gap between the clubs' valuations of the Argentina international.

It is thought Alvarez's preference is a move to Barcelona, but Arsenal continue to keep an eye on the situation.

Barcelona are not giving up on signing Arsenal target Alvarez and could raise their offer after the World Cup.

President Joan Laporta says their current bid of just over £100m remains on the table - but sources in Spain are indicating they could raise that to more than £110m (€130m) plus bonuses.

The club have not yet decided whether to increase the offer but - regardless - a new Barca bid is still not expected to go down well at Atletico. With the relationship between the clubs at an all-time low, amid a public spat on social media, Atletico are almost certain to continue their stance of refusing to sell him.

Laporta believes Atletico's stance is down to the lack of an identified replacement, while Atletico chief executive Miguel Gil Marin accused Barca of "disrespecting us".

"I spoke with Gil Marin. He told me they were not planning to let him go, but the offer is firm and we stand by it," Laporta said. "It remains on the table and the deal could still go through, but the offer is not open-ended. Atletico said no because they didn't have a replacement. If they get one, we will see."

However, Gil Martin commented again on Friday after Laporta's latest comments.

"My position is clear," he said. "The club's intention is clear. We have made it known to the player, the fans, and the Barcelona president.

"Alvarez is booked to go on holiday after his World Cup campaign with Argentina comes to an end. He will then return to pre-season training with Atletico when there will almost certainly be talks with the club's hierarchy about his future.

"I have no doubt that Atletico is the right place in the world for Julian and that Julian is the perfect centre-forward for Atletico Madrid. We want him to stay with us.

"I recently heard comments from the president that the offer he had made to Atletico Madrid was not unlimited, and the only possible response is that our answer certainly is.

"We do not want to sell him and we did not accept the €100m offer, nor would we accept one of €150m or €200m.

"I know [Barcelona president] Joan [Laporta] well enough to believe that he is constantly playing to the media and to the fans, for his own personal circus.

"I am not offended. I have a good personal relationship with him.

"I spoke to him personally. I told him: 'Please, just let it go. We do not want to sell him, and we are not going to sell him. Stop insisting.'

"But he keeps this situation alive because, in part, he enjoys it. He is frivolous and loves maintaining this relationship with the fans and the media.

"But he knows perfectly well that Julian will not be playing for FC Barcelona next season. But he enjoys keeping this game going with the fans and the media, and worst of all, with Julian himself.

"The truth is that we know Julian. We have worked with him over the last two seasons, and we have absolutely no doubt about his character or his professionalism.

"Julian has been poorly advised since the end of the season, and this is, in some way, what leads me to believe that his performances, his attitude, will continue to be exactly what they have always been: that of a very good player, a good person and an outstanding professional.

"I think both the player and the supporters have it very simple. Everything depends on the player's attitude and, of course, also on his performances.

"In the end, Atletico Madrid knows exactly what it wants. It wants committed players; players who consistently deliver on the pitch.

"That is why I believe every Atletico Madrid supporter's dream, and my own, is to see Julian scoring goals and winning trophies for Atletico Madrid. I believe it will happen."

Privately, Atletico are understood to be more open to the idea of selling him to Arsenal or PSG - if Alvarez demands to leave the Metropolitano for any club.

Real Madrid announced last month that they had had a £130m [€150m] bid rejected by Atletico for Alvarez.