‘He’s an idiot’ – Former Premier League star slams Arsenal target Julian Alvarez

Julian Alvarez has been branded ‘an imbecile’ as a result of his bungled attempt to force a move from Atletico Madrid to Barcelona this summer.

The Argentina international went public with his desire to join the Spanish champions during the World Cup.

His current employers immediately shut the door on that prospect, however, and have remained steadfast in their determination to keep hold of their star striker.

A toxic situation was rendered almost untenable over the weekend when the former Manchester City forward was jeered by his own fans during a 2-2 draw against Villarreal.

Arsenal could yet offer Alvarez an escape route, but former Birmingham striker and France World Cup winner Christophe Dugarry has questioned the 26-year-old’s conduct and the advice he has received from his agents.

Dugarry told RMC: ‘The player and his entourage are idiots. How can you declare ‘I want to leave the club’? Is he stupid, or what?

‘The best way to leave isn’t to do that. Shut up, be modest, be intelligent in your communication. Didn’t you see what happened with Griezmann? Don’t you know your management? Don’t you know your fans?

‘A player who wants to leave should be allowed to leave. After that, it creates more problems than anything else. I also believe that there needs to be respect on both sides.

‘The first thing to do when you want to try and reach an agreement is not to spit on your fans, on your club.

‘The way you’re doing it, you’re completely off base and you’re going to get it back in your face.

‘That kid’s going to have to work hard. He’s put a ball and chain on his ankle and it’s going to be difficult to turn things around. What a huge mistake!’

Arsenal’s hopes of securing a deal for Alvarez have been boosted by the impending departure of Gabriel Martinelli who is closing in on a £50million move to Al-Hilal.

The long-serving Brazil international has been deemed surplus to requirements by Mikel Arteta and didn’t feature in last weekend’s Premier League opening fixture against Coventry City.

Martinelli had previously turned down the prospect of a move to Galatasaray but has opened the door to a move to the Saudi Pro League in the knowledge there is no way back for him at Arsenal.