Assistant coach Gabriel Heinze contacted his fellow Argentine directly to gauge his interest in a move to the Emirates, according to the Daily Mail, once it became clear Alvarez had no intention of leaving the Spanish capital. Inter responded firmly, ruling out any prospect of a sale with Martinez still contracted to Inter Milan until 2029.
Arsenal's interest in Alvarez had been one of the more persistent storylines of the summer, with the Gunners hopeful of tempting the Argentina international away from Atletico Madrid despite the club's reluctance to sell.
Mikel Arteta's side also explored a move for Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen at various points in the window, but ultimately ended the summer without adding a recognised senior striker to the squad, leaving their attacking options largely unchanged from last season.
Martinez, valued by Inter at around £73million, scored 22 goals in all competitions last season as his side won the Serie A title, taking his overall tally to 175 goals in 378 appearances for the club since his move from Racing Club. With three years still to run on his contract and the Nerazzurri under no financial pressure to sell a player of his standing, Arsenal's approach always looked unlikely to progress beyond an initial phone call.
The failed pursuits of Alvarez and Martinez leave Arsenal facing a quiet finish to the transfer window on the attacking front, reinforcing suggestions the club is more likely to revisit the striker market in January, once injuries, fresh valuations or a change in circumstances at rival clubs might present a clearer route to the forward Arteta has been chasing throughout the year.
Alvarez himself made his preference clear during the speculation, with the Argentina international indicating a stronger inclination toward a move to Barcelona than any switch to north London, further complicating Arsenal's hopes of prising him away from Atletico.
That left Arteta's side working through a shortlist of alternatives in the closing days of the window, with neither Osimhen nor Martinez ultimately proving any more attainable than their original target.