Julian Alvarez has been absent from Atletico Madrid training sessions since being informed privately that the club will not sell him to Barcelona — and Arsenal now appear to be his only realistic destination this summer.

Sources have told BBC Sport that Atletico communicated directly to Alvarez and his representatives earlier this week that negotiations with Barcelona over the Argentina international are entirely off the table. The 26-year-old has since missed two consecutive training days, citing illness.

Atletico double down on Barcelona stance

The La Liga club went further by issuing two public statements within 24 hours, making their position unmistakably clear. On Wednesday, Atletico responded to comments from Barcelona president Joan Laporte — who had insisted his club still intended to sign Alvarez — with a blunt declaration: