Atletico Madrid have given Julian Alvarez a deadline of Sunday to decide his future after he missed his third consecutive day of training and will be absent from their squad to face Sevilla this weekend.
The club have made clear to him that he will have to choose between staying in Madrid or considering a move to Arsenal, after Atletico’s chief executive said the Argentina star will “never, ever” be sold to Barcelona, but did not rule out the possibility of him joining another club instead before the transfer deadline. The 26-year-old forward is Arsenal’s top target and the Gunners continue to monitor the situation ahead of potentially making a late move.
Elsewhere, Liverpool have agreed a deal in principle until 2031 for top target Bradley Barcola, who will command a £100m fee, with £20m in add-ons, with Paris Saint-Germain after the French club lowered their demands for the forward. The Reds also want to sign Ismaila Sarr from Crystal Palace after moving on from Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh, but Andoni Iraola refused to guarantee that forward Cody Gakpo will stay, with the Dutchman has attracted interest from Tottenham and Manchester City.
Manchester City remain in talks to sign Enzo Fernandez while Chelsea have agreed a £7.5m deal to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, following a costly couple of errors from Robert Sanchez in Monday’s 3-2 win at Fulham. Chelsea could turn back to Bournemouth’s Alex Scott if they sell Fernandez, who was left out of Xabi Alonso’s squad to face Luton in the Carabao Cup on Thursday night.
Follow all of the latest news, rumours and done deals below:
Barcola to Liverpool? Alvarez to Arsenal? Ten big transfers that could still happen before deadline day
The summer transfer window closes on 1 September as clubs across Europe aim to wrap up their summer business ahead of the 2026/27 season.
But while some teams will feel their business is done this summer, most clubs – especially some in the Premier League – know they need more arrivals if they’re to compete this season.
Manchester City, Newcastle and Aston Villa will need to replace some of their outgoing stars, while Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and even champions Arsenal are all hoping to make late additions in the coming days – and big-spenders Tottenham might not be done just yet.
So, with just a few days left of the window, here are 10 big transfers that could still happen before deadline day:
Atletico Madrid give Alvarez deadline on decision
Atletico Madrid have given Arsenal target Julian Alvarez a deadline of Sunday to decide his future, with his options either to consider a move to the Premier League champions or stay at the club.
Atletico’s chief executive said the Argentina star will “never, ever” be sold to Barcelona, his preferred choice, with Alvarez now considering his options.
The 26-year-old will not feature in the squad to play Sevilla this weekend after missing three consecutive days of training, with boss Diego Simeone confirming his absence.
Liverpool agree long-term deal for Bradley Barcola
Bradley Barcola is set to sign a deal with Liverpool taking his time at Anfield to 2031, according to Sky Sports.
A deal in principle has been agreed with the overall package worth around £120m, after PSG lowered their valuation for the France international.
Liverpool are now reportedly set to pay £106m up front, with £17m in add-ons, with the 23-year-old still to undergo a medical at Anfield.
More movement at Aston Villa? Ibrahim Mbaye fee ‘agreed’
Aston Villa’s busy summer looks set to continue: David Ornstein of The Athletic reports that Unai Emery’s side have reached an “agreement in principle” to sign 18-year-old winger Ibrahim Mbaye from Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbaye was linked to Liverpool earlier in the window and has been left out of PSG’s squad for the last three games, along with the outgoing Bradley Barcola. The Athletic report that Villa have reached a €55m (£47m) for the forward.
Meanwhile, Villa target Rafael Leao is set to join Galatasaray from AC Milan. Sky Sports report that Leao has accepted the move after Villa did not match Galatasaray’s offer on wages.
Villa have also agreed to sign Nicolas Jackson after the departures of Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers, and have signed Johan Manzambi too.
Arsenal’s Julian Alvarez gamble has paid off – with two cards still to play
Amid 48 hours when the Julian Alvarez saga brought a media storm in Spain, Arsenal are continuing to work away in the background. The hope is that a big calculation may yet pay off.
Mikel Arteta has long been aware that Alvarez’s first choice was Barcelona, and respects that, but his club were also aware that their Catalan rivals would struggle to do the deal. Even as far back as May, it was known that Barca had a lot to do to make the finances work, and that was before a deteriorating relationship with Atletico Madrid reached this dismal nadir.
On Thursday, it was finally communicated that Atletico’s official position is that they will “never , ever” sell Alvarez to Barcelona. This was as key representatives of both clubs – as well as Arsenal – were at the Champions League draw in Monaco. That naturally fostered a lot of intrigue, as well as some mirth, for those present.
Arsenal sign teenage forward
Arsenal have completed the signing of starlet striker Igor Tyjon from Blackburn Rovers.
Valencia explore Harvey Elliott move
Valencia are exploring a move for Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott, according to Sky Sports.
The 23-year-old is back at Liverpool after a difficult loan at Aston Villa last season and while Andoni Iraola has tried to give him a chance for redemption at Anfield, he was not in the squad for their opener at Newcastle last weekend.
With just one year left on his contract, he may make a move this summer, with the Daily Mail also reporting Napoli and Lazio as interested.
Napoli chasing Premier League strikers
Napoli are considering a loan move for Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade after the forward fell behind Yoane Wissa in the pecking order, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Sky Sports also reports that Napoli’s pursuit of Chelsea striker Marc Guiu is progressing.
Southampton re-sign James Ward-Prowse
Southampton have brought James Ward-Prowse back to St Mary’s after the midfielder completed his return from West Ham.
The 31-year-old made 410 appearances after spending 20 years at the club before leaving in 2023.
Diego Simeone vows to welcome back Julian Alvarez at Atletico Madrid after Barcelona transfer refusal
Diego Simeone has insisted he remains ready to welcome Julian Alvarez back into the Atletico Madrid fold as the stalemate surrounding the striker’s proposed transfer to Barcelona continues.
Simeone said: “I understand that all the questions will be about Julian. The club has been very clear about what will happen.
“From a sporting perspective, I hope to help him continue being as important as he still is. My focus is on Sevilla, where he won’t be available.
“When he returns, we’ll give him everything he needs to feel important. In life, anything can be reversed, as long as we have our health.”
