Julian Alvarez: Arsenal confident family visa issue will not derail late move

Arsenal are monitoring Julian Alvarez’s situation during the final five days of the transfer window after Atletico de Madrid effectively ruled out selling the Argentina striker to Barcelona.

Atletico have made it clear they will not sanction a move to the Catalan club, with sources inside the Spanish side telling Marca that “the chance of selling him to Barcelona is zero”.

The 26-year-old has missed training for a third successive day as he continues to hope that he can join Barcelona. However, the possibility of that move has receded further after Atletico’s board issued a statement backing the decision not to sell Alvarez to their domestic rivals.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has said his club will continue trying to sign the forward until the transfer window closes. Atletico’s position has nevertheless hardened as tensions between the two clubs have increased over the dispute.

With a move to Barcelona blocked, Atletico would still consider selling Alvarez to a club outside Spain for €150m. His future in Madrid has become increasingly uncertain following a hostile reception during the match against Villarreal, when Atletico supporters jeered their own forward before he walked alone to the dressing room.

Arsenal are regarded as the most realistic alternative. The Premier League club have shown strong interest in Alvarez, who is attracted by the sporting project at the Emirates Stadium.

However, a potential transfer involves a complication away from the pitch. Arsenal must resolve residency and visa arrangements for members of the player’s family before a move to London can be completed.

Alvarez’s family currently live with him in Spain. Since the United Kingdom left the European Union, British immigration rules have become stricter, potentially making the move more complicated for his relatives. Some family members’ previous residence permits expired after an earlier period spent in England.

The position of Alvarez’s wife is understood to be different. Journalist Veronica Brunati said she could obtain residence as a dependent partner of someone holding a work visa, allowing her to live with the player legally in the UK.

Arsenal are confident they can deal with the visa requirements affecting the family if Alvarez agrees to move to the Emirates Stadium. The club, however, have not yet submitted a decisive formal offer to Atletico.

Despite that, Arsenal believe an agreement could still be reached before the transfer window shuts on 1 September. Atletico’s willingness to consider a €150m sale to a foreign club means the London side remain a possible destination, while Barcelona’s prospects appear to have been eliminated by the Spanish club’s refusal to negotiate.

The striker’s continued absence from training and the reaction from Atletico supporters have added to the uncertainty around his position. But unless Barcelona can change Atletico’s stance, Alvarez’s most plausible route out of Madrid appears to be a move abroad, with Arsenal assessing whether the remaining family paperwork can be completed in time.