The Spanish champions have been pursuing 2022 World Cup winner Alvarez but Atletico have thus far refused to sell the 26-year-old forward, who missed training on Wednesday due to illness.

Aston Villa and Manchester City each have five players in the final four, while Chelsea and Crystal Palace have four apiece, underlining the depth of talent spread across the English Premier League.

Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez issued a thinly-veiled threat to Lionel Messi on Monday after he took offence at a dressing-room video appearing to show the Argentine forward nudge away a Mexican jersey with his foot after their World Cup win over "El Tri".