Arsenal transfer news: Cristian Pavon to stay at Boca Juniors although winter move a possibility

The Argentina international has been persistently linked with a move away from Boca this summer, with both Arsenal and Roma interested in bringing him to Europe

Arsenal will not be reigniting their interest in Cristian Pavón ahead of tomorrow’s transfer deadline, although the Argentina international could be allowed to leave for the Premier League after Boca Juniors’ Copa Libertadores campaign.

The 22-year-old forward has been persistently linked with a move away from Boca this summer, with both Arsenal and Roma interested in bringing him to Europe.

However sources close to the player have told The Independent that Pavón will remain at Boca beyond this summer’s transfer window, as the club attempt to win their seventh Copa Libertadores title.

Boca have recently strengthened their attack by signing former West Ham striker Mauro Zárate from Watford for an undisclosed fee, leading to speculation that the club was paving the way for Pavón’s imminent departure.

But the club – one of the most financially stable in Argentina – have little need to sell their prize asset so quickly and are understood to be determined to keep their current squad together as they attempt to win South America’s version of the Champions League for the first time since 2007.

Arsenal are long-term suitors of Pavón, who sparkled in a serious of encouraging cameo displays for Argentina during their otherwise underwhelming World Cup 2018 campaign.

Those performances naturally increased speculation over his future, with Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport this morning running a front page story that Roma sporting director Monchi has made him the club’s primary transfer target, but the player’s camp is insistent he will not be sold.

Boca’s reluctance to sell Pavón this summer means Arsenal’s attention will now turn to selling players rather than buying them, ahead of tomorrow’s 5pm transfer deadline.

The club are close to selling striker Lucas Pérez to West Ham in a cut-price £5m deal – despite the Spaniard’s reluctance to leave after just two seasons – while Arsenal will listen to offers for Danny Welbeck, who was recently told by Unai Emery he will not be a first-team regular this season.

Cristian Pavón is staying put at Boca — for now (Getty / Independent)

“My focus is on the first match and preparing, and not for the window and the possibility to sign another player,” Emery recently commented after the club’s final pre-season fixture, a 2-0 victory over Lazio in Stockholm.

“Maybe we need some players to leave because we have lots in the squad, but at the moment, my one focus is on our work.”

Arsenal open their Premier League campaign on Sunday, with reigning champions Manchester City travelling to the Emirates for a 16.00 kick-off.