Atletico Madrid have underlined their determination to keep hold of Julian Alvarez amid increasing transfer interest from Arsenal.

The Gunners are long-term admirers of the Argentina international who enhanced his burgeoning reputation with a sensational free-kick in his side’s 2-0 Champions League quarter-final win over Barcelona at Camp Nou last night.

Alvarez joined Atletico Madrid from Manchester City two years ago having grown tired of playing second fiddle to Erling Haaland for the Premier League giants.

The 26-year-old has blossomed into the complete centre forward under Diego Simeone’s tutelage and another stellar display last night has put Atletico on the brink of a semi-final place where they are, as things stand, likely to face the club that covet Alvarez most.

Arsenal spent heavily last summer on bolstering their attack and although Viktor Gyokeres is on course to register 20 goals in all competitions, he has failed to fully convince.

Gabriel Jesus, meanwhile, looks set to be deemed surplus to requirements while Kai Havertz’s durability remains an issue and, in any case, most of his appearances since his comeback from a knee injury have come in an attacking midfield role.

It would likely take a club-record...