Julian Alvarez responds as Atletico tell him to join Arsenal over Barcelona

Julian Alvarez remains determined to join Barcelona this summer despite Atletico Madrid trying to convince him to join Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain instead.

The former Manchester City star is currently with Argentina at the World Cup but is the subject of his club future remains a hot topic.

The Gunners have made him a summer transfer target with Mikel Arteta eager to sign another forward off the back of their first Premier League title triumph in 22 years.

PSG are also interested in adding him to their already fearsome attack but Alvarez’s preference has been a move to the Camp Nou.

Barcelona have already enraged Atletico with what they regard as a public and disrespectful pursuit of the 26-year-old. An opening bid of €100million (£86.4m) has been rejected by Atletico who are refusing to do business with the Catalan giants.

While they are determined to hold onto their prized asset, Atletico are privately conceding they may have to sell to another club, according to Mundo Deportivo, who suggest they are trying to ‘steer’ Alvarez towards Arsenal or PSG.

Alvarez remains fully committed to joining Barcelona however and is resisting his club’s attempts to facilitate a move elsewhere.

Despite the very public admonishing they received earlier this month, Barcelona are continuing to work behind the scenes on a deal for a man they view as the long-term successor for Robert Lewandowski.

While the situation is currently at a standstill, Barcelona are convinced Alvarez only wants them having also opposed a move to PSG after Atletico discussed a deal with the European champions several weeks ago.

With Alvarez’s focus on Argentina’s attempts to defend their World Cup crown, the saga threatens to drag across the summer.

Real Madrid also entered the fray this month with the club revealing they had a €150million offer rejected by their neighbours.

It came after Florentino Perez, speaking days before he was re-elected as club president, vowed to submit a club-record offer for an unnamed ‘great player’.