Arsenal have been chasing Julian Alvarez since the summer, and the Argentine’s answer has been to hire an agent with direct lines into Barcelona.

Transfer News Live reported on 13 October that the 26-year-old has ended his professional relationship with Fernando Hidalgo, who had represented him since he was 15, and chosen Pablo Barquero in his place. Mundo Deportivo, cited by Barca Universal, has it that Alvarez picked Barquero over former footballer Javier Pastore and Jorge Mendes’ agency.

Alvarez and Barquero are not strangers. Barquero represents Rodri, who was Alvarez’s teammate at Manchester City, and the agent is reported to have strong ties to Barcelona.

The Barcelona groundwork is already there

The agent switch does not come out of nothing. La Vanguardia reported in June that Barcelona had agreed the framework of a five-year contract with Alvarez’s camp, after sporting director Deco held talks with the striker’s representatives.

Read also: Barcelona’s decision could come back to haunt them as Real Madrid move for Man United wonderkid

Barcelona’s ceiling for Atletico Madrid, according to that same reporting, is €120m in guaranteed payments. Performance-related bonuses could push the overall package close to €130m. An earlier Barcelona bid of around €100m produced no formal reply from Atletico and left the two clubs on bad terms.

Atletico’s resistance has softened since. The release clause remains €500m on paper, but the asking price has dropped to €120m, matching Barcelona’s cap closely enough to make a deal viable.

The Arsenal problem

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have been tracking Alvarez as a No. 9 target, with Viktor Gyokeres, valued at £64m, reportedly up for sale to help fund an offer. The agent decision tells Arsenal what the player’s preference already was in the summer. Barcelona first, everyone else second.

Barquero’s brief from Alvarez is clear: deliver the Camp Nou move Barcelona have already lined up on personal terms.

Read also: Viktor Axelsen delivers heartbreaking admission months after retirement: ‘I can’t even play for fun’

January is where Arsenal find out

Arsenal are expected to come back in the winter transfer window. Transfer News Live reports that the Gunners “are also keen on signing the forward in January.”

Barcelona’s agreed terms with Alvarez from June are still on the table. Atletico’s asking price now sits at €120m.

Read also: White handkerchiefs in Copenhagen: Braga delegation pulls Carlos Vicens away from travelling fans