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:
Neco Williams addresses transfer speculation
Neco Williams has just spoken on the speculation surrounding his future after featuring in Nottingham Forest’s 2-2 draw at Liverpool, amid interest from Tottenham.
“Every day I am focused on the badge I am wearing right now. Of course it is nice to see there’s interest. But at the end of the day I am a Nottingham Forest player. I am fully focused on what I have to do, full commitment, giving my best to help this team.”
Fiorentina enquire about Wilfried Gnonto
Fiorentina have enquired about Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto’s availability before the end of the transfer window, according to The Athletic.
Leeds would only sanction an exit if they can add a forward to their ranks.
Keith Andrews hails new Brentford signing El Hadji Malick Diouf
Keith Andrews said new signing El Hadji Malick Diouf “fits what we’re about” following his transfer from West Ham to Brentford.
“He’s a really good player who has attributes that we really like,” he said.
“He settled into the Premier League – a new club, a new environment, a new culture – very well at West Ham last year and had some eye-catching performances.
“We obviously did more due diligence on him and his character, and how he would settle into the group.
“He fits what we’re about with his age profile and attributes, and he comes into an already competitive squad.”
Fulham exploring move for Andrei Ratiu
Fulham are in talks to sign Rayo Vallecano defender Andrei Ratiu from Rayo Vallecano, according to BBC Sport.
The 28-year-old Romanian is said to be open to a move to Craven Cottage.
Forest bid for Everton teenager Harrison Armstrong
Nottingham Forest have launched an ambitious £40m bid for Everton’s teenage midfielder Harrison Amstrong, according to The Athletic.
Armstrong has previously had loan spells at Championship clubs Derby County and Preston North End but has now integrated into David Moyes’ first team, having made 22 senior appearances.
Marc Guiu nearing Leipzig switch
RB Leipzig are the verge of reaching an agreement in principle with Chelsea over the signing of striker Marc Guiu, according to The Athletic.
There is an expectation from both clubs that a deal for the 20-year-old will be done.
Regis Le Bris places trust in Sunderland recruitment
Regis Le Bris is confident Sunderland will look back on another successful transfer window.
Further signings are still expected before Tuesday’s deadline, with Igor Paixao and Jack Grealish linked. However, the club have had a season-long loan bid for Kevin Danso rejected by Tottenham, according to BBC Sport.
“I’m focused on the game first of all. But I trust (director of football) Flo (Ghisolfi), (chairman) Kyril (Louis-Dreyfus) and the recruitment staff so we are working hard behind the scenes,” he said.
“We are really well aligned about our targets, what we need to get better as a team. I won’t comment on individual positions. I still think that we’ll succeed in this transfer window.”
Fabian Hurzeler hopes Danny Welbeck gives him a break
Fabian Hurzeler hopes Danny Welbeck has a day off when the new Chelsea striker faces former club Brighton for the first time this weekend.
“Great personality, great player,” Albion boss Hurzeler said. “We had a really, really good relationship and, like I always said, I was really grateful working with him because he helped me a lot.
“He helped me on the pitch, he helped me beside the pitch and therefore I think being grateful in football is not the norm.
“You don’t have these kind of words a lot in football but I’m definitely grateful for working with him.
“I want his best, I want that he has a great finish of his unbelievable and very impressive career, so therefore I’m really delighted to see that he scored yesterday.
“On Sunday he can take a break and then afterwards I wish him all the best again.”
Forest close in on Daniel Munoz
Nottingham Forest are close to a deal for Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz, who is in line for a reunion with new Forest manager Oliver Glasner.
The club bid £22m for the 30-year-old earlier this week and are in advanced talks, with Munoz an unused substitute for yesterday’s Premier League defeat to Man City.
He has two years left on his contract with the Eagles.
Harvey Elliott’s future in doubt
Liverpool are yet to hear from Valencia over Harvey Elliott, though the midfielder is available for a move in the last few days of the window.
He once again isn’t in the matchday squad that faces Nottingham Forest, while Cody Gakpo does start amid transfer speculation surrounding his future.
