Barca won't give up on Arsenal target Alvarez

Barcelona are not giving up on signing Arsenal target Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid and could raise their offer after the World Cup.

President Joan Laporta says their current bid of just over £100m remains on the table - but sources in Spain are indicating they could raise that to more than £110m (€130m) plus bonuses.

The club have not yet decided whether to increase the offer but - regardless - a new Barca bid is still not expected to go down well at Atletico.

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With the relationship between the clubs at an all-time low, amid a public spat on social media, Atletico are almost certain to continue their stance of refusing to sell him.

Real Madrid announced last month that they had £130m (€150m) bid rejected by Atletico for Alvarez.

Barca president Joan Laporta believes Atletico's stance is down to the lack of an identified replacement, while Atletico CEO Miguel Gil Marin accused Barca of "disrespecting us".

"I spoke with Gil Marín. He told me they were not planning to let him go, but the offer is firm and we stand by it," Laporta said.

"It remains on the table and the deal could still go through, but the offer is not open-ended. Atletico said no because they didn't have a replacement. If they get one, we will see."

Alvarez is booked to go on holiday after his World Cup campaign with Argentina comes to an end.

He will then return to pre-season training with Atletico when there will almost certainly be talks with the club's hierarchy about his future.

Sky Sports News has already reported that it is Alvarez's dream to sign for Barcelona - and it is said his family want to continue living in Spain.

This is one of the major obstacles the likes of Arsenal and PSG - who are also interested - must overcome if they are to attract the forward instead.

Privately, Atletico are understood to be more open to the idea of selling him to Arsenal or PSG - if Alvarez demands to leave the Metropolitano for any club.

However, currently he and his family are not keen to go to England or France, Sky Sports News understands.

It means, as it stands, Alvarez looks more likely to stay at Atletico unless either he or the club are willing to give ground.

Either Alvarez and his family open up to the idea of moving abroad and push for a transfer, or Atletico give up on their outright Barcelona ban.