MIKEL ARTETA has urged his attacking stars to “knock on my door” if they are unsettled by Arsenal’s continued pursuit of Julian Alvarez.

Alvarez’s future took another twist on Thursday after Atletico Madrid said the club will not sell to Barcelona — believed to be the Argentina international’s preferred destination – after they claimed negotiations have not been conducted in a “professional, ethical and respectful manner.”

Atleti’s firm stance will accelerate hope at the Emirates Stadium that Alvarez, who scored 20 times across all competitions for the Spanish club last season, could make the switch before the transfer window closes on Tuesday.

It has been reported that both Viktor Gyokeres, an unused substitute in Arsenal’s 3-0 win against Coventry last weekend, and Gabriel Jesus, not part of Arteta’s squad for the opener, could even be offered as part of a potential deal to sign Alvarez.

Arteta refused to be directly drawn on Arsenal’s interest in the former Manchester City forward, but when asked if the club’s links with the striker could be troubling some of his players, he replied: “Very simple. Whatever you read, if you have a question, come and knock on my door, and I will tell you whether it is true or not.

“Because a player in any position, if they read it, we could put a catalogue on the walls about all the players that we wanted in the last three months, and we would need the whole building.

“They know that there’s so much speculation. So if ever they feel the doubt of what we think about them, and if we’re going to recruit a player, I tell them straight away.

“And if we’re going to sign somebody in their position, I normally tell them. I say: ‘These are the plans and the reasons. We still believe in you, but the competition is going to increase.’ I prefer to do it that way.”

Jesus has 12 months to run on his contract, and he did not train with his team-mates on Thursday. Arteta described his absence as a “personal situation.”

Gabriel Martinelli was involved, but departed early, and is on the brink of ending his seven-year stint at the Emirates. Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal are in advanced talks with Arsenal over a deal — possibly for as much as £50 million.

Arteta continued: “Everybody knows and recognised how much we love Gabi and whatever the outcome is, it is because everyone agrees to that.

“We have had conversations. I know what is in each other’s hearts, and the words that came through in that conversation make me happy. But it is inevitable you have to say certain things that are tough.

“If I have given a player, who has been here for six years, 500 great messages and then maybe one message that is not that good, the proportion is still quite good. If it is 499 to one, then that one [message] is going to count so little for how I feel about a player.”

Reiss Nelson, who rose through the Arsenal’s junior ranks, left the club on Thursday after his contract was mutually terminated with immediate effect.

The Gunners will take on Aston Villa on Monday looking to build on a strong start to the season. Ezri Konsa is in line to make his debut against his former employers, while Arteta said Bruno Guimaraes is “potentially available” following a groin problem.