According to AS, Arsenal made an attempt to sign Mark Puvil after being impressed by his performance in the Champions League, but Atletico Madrid have listed him as not for sale.
Last season, Mark Puvil's growth was one of the good news for Atletico Madrid. After joining, he patiently waited for his opportunity, overcame difficulties, gradually adapted, and eventually embarked on an upward trajectory, first securing a starting position for Atletico, and then being selected for the World Cup-winning team. The defender initially joined as a full-back, later establishing himself as a center-back, and is now one of the key cornerstones for Atletico's future.
However, Puvil's performance throughout the season and his rising momentum have attracted considerable attention, with Arsenal being one of the clubs most interested. During Atletico Madrid's Champions League knockout match against Arsenal, Arteta was impressed with Puvil's performance and asked the Gunners' sporting director, former Atletico Madrid player Andrea Berta, to try and push for his signing.
As journalist Fabrizio Romano stated, and as confirmed by AS, such contact did exist, but there has been no further progress. Atletico Madrid has declared Puvil not for sale. AS reported on May 8th that Atletico Madrid had begun negotiations, hoping to significantly increase the player's contract to match his performance, and also sending a clear signal: Puvil is the present and the future, which is precisely the plan Atletico Madrid hopes to continue pursuing.
The club has been updating the defender's situation based on his potential, and he is considered one of the cornerstones of the team's future. After Arsenal contacted him, Atletico Madrid immediately refused to listen to any offers. Furthermore, Pubi now appreciates the plan, the treatment he receives from the club, and the fans. His journey hasn't been easy; Pubi comes from Almería in the Spanish Second Division and wasn't initially favored, but he didn't back down. Instead, he trained diligently, learning the various details and positioning habits required for the center-back position with the help of the coaching staff.
Arsenal were willing to spend a fortune to sign him, but Atletico Madrid were adamant. Puvil was not for sale. The player integrated perfectly into the team through hard work and character, and the club was pleased to see his efforts and exemplary role, ultimately earning the approval of Spain national team coach De la Fuente. Arteta also wanted to bring him to his side, but that's not possible yet. Atletico Madrid were eliminated by Arsenal in this heated Champions League semi-final, drawing 1-1 and losing 0-1 on aggregate. Puvil played a full 180 minutes in his first Champions League season, delivering a stunning performance.
