Arsenal has intensified its pursuit of Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, aiming to finalize the transfer before pre-season begins.The Gunners are capitalizing on Atletico's refusal to sell to Barcelona, which has strained their relationship with the Spanish club.

Alvarez's recent heroics in Argentina's World Cup quarter-final victory against Switzerland have boosted his market value, making him a top target for Arsenal.

However, Atletico remains firm on their stance, rejecting offers from Barcelona and Real Madrid due to perceived public campaigns targeting the player.The valuation gap between Arsenal's £90 million offer and Atletico's demand of over £100 million poses a challenge.

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta, formerly of Atletico, is negotiating with his former employers, leveraging existing relationships to bridge the price difference.Alvarez's Premier League experience with Manchester City, where he won two titles and a Champions League trophy, adds value to his profile.Meanwhile, Arsenal's summer recruitment drive also includes interest in Morgan Rogers, though World Cup commitments have delayed major transfers.