Boca inserted a £27 million release clause in Pavon's contract, which could also be triggered by Liverpool and Manchester City, while talks suggest the Londoners are facing up to the possibility of losing Alexis Sanchez this month.

Arsenal see Pavon as a replacement for the Chile international, who seems certain to be bound for City either this month or in the summer. Also followed by Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan, Pavon has already broken into Jorge Sampaoli's Albiceleste squad and should feature at this summer's World Cup.