Atletico Madrid have insisted there is “zero per cent chance” they sell Julian Alvarez to Barcelona this summer and claim they are “the only victims” in the protracted transfer saga. The 26-year-old forward has made it clear that he would like to join Barcelona but Arsenal continue to monitor the situation and may move to make a late deal for the Argentina international. The Independent understands that Atletico would like Alvarez’s future to be decided by Friday.
Liverpool have enquired about the availability of Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr after holding further talks with Paris Saint-Germain over the signing of Bradley Barcola. Sarr, who did not play for Palace this past weekend, is Liverpool’s latest target after the Reds had also seen two bids for Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh turned down. Liverpool saw a £50m approach for Sarr knocked back, but positive talks were held over Barcola, with PSG insiders now expecting the winger to leave the club this summer.
Elsewhere, Manchester City have sealed a €100m deal for Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi and have sold Savio to Tottenham in a deal worth £85m. They are also interested in Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo and could yet reignite a move for Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, making him potentially the biggest transfer of the summer. Chelsea are also in talks to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and could turn back to Bournemouth’s Alex Scott if they sell Fernandez.
Follow all of the latest news, rumours and done deals below
Roberto De Zerbi says Spurs will continue to spend
“I don’t feel pressure about the transfer market,” Roberto De Zerbi told Sky Sports. “If I can, I want to spend more money again without problems, because the other teams don’t spend anything different.
“I feel pressure because I am working in one of the best clubs in the world and I would like to help this club to compete to win the titles.
“I don’t know (whether) this season or next season, but, in the end, it’s my big target, my personal target.
“We have nothing less than the other big clubs in the Premier League, especially now in my time. We are moving very well in the transfer market and why not?
“I can’t understand why Tottenham can’t compete with Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal. I don’t understand why Tottenham can’t spend the same money as Chelsea, Liverpool.”
What led Liverpool to explore late move for Ismaila Sarr?
Ismaila Sarr has attracted Liverpool’s attention in the past and was a target in 2020, when they ended up signing Diogo Jota instead.
He scored four goals against Liverpool last season, including one in the Community Shield and two at Anfield in the Carabao Cup.
Liverpool have had two bids, of £50m and £60m, rejected by Brighton for right winger Yankuba Minteh.
They also offered a €100m package for Yan Diomande, who instead left RB Leipzig for Real Madrid while they want Bradley Barcola, though Paris Saint-Germain’s valuation of the France winger is more than Liverpool have been prepared to pay.
Man Utd dealt Alejandro Balde blow
Alejandro Balde has informed Barcelona that he wants to stay and fight for his spot at the Camp Nou amid interest from Manchester United, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The decision surrounding his future will remain up to the club, who will only sanction a move if a big offer comes in.
Hansi Flick has confirmed he will be part of the Barca squad that faces Athletic Club tomorrow.
Chelsea offered chance to sign keeper Emiliano Martinez by his representatives
Chelsea have been offered the chance to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez by his representatives.
Villa are looking to offload the World Cup winner following the acquisition of Japan international Zion Suzuki, who they consider to be their long-term number one.
A deal to sell Martinez to Juventus fell through earlier in August and he was not in the squad for the 4-0 defeat to Brighton on the Premier League’s opening weekend.
Chelsea’s goalkeeping situation has been under renewed scrutiny following Robert Sanchez’s poor performance in Monday’s 3-2 win against Fulham when he was badly at fault in allowing a tame shot from Josh King to squeeze through him.
The club are understood to be considering whether to act to replace Sanchez with Martinez before the transfer window closes.
It had been hoped that 21-year-old Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders, who spent last season on loan at Strasbourg and could make his first-team debut against Luton in the Carabao Cup on Thursday, would eventually prove able to step up and challenge Sanchez for the number one shirt.
However, the possibility of signing an established Premier League keeper and an experienced international presents obvious advantages for a club looking to challenge for the title this season.
Sunderland explore move for Jack Grealish?
Jack Grealish returned to Premier League action for Manchester City at the weekend but could the former England international be sent out on loan again this season?
After a productive spell at Everton last campaign, there are now reports that Sunderland are working on a deal to sign the 30-year-old winger.
Sunderland are in the market for a wide attacking player ahead of their return to European football this season.
Sky Sports report that a move for Grealish, who is into the final year of his contract, could see Sunderland explore both loan and permanent deals.
Liverpool identify new winger target after Yankuba Minteh bids rejected
Liverpool are considering Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr as their search for a new winger continues.
The Merseyside club have not made an offer for the Senegal international yet but they are exploring multiple options as they continue to look for a successor to the departed Mohamed Salah.
Sarr, who was strongly linked with Turkish giants Galatasaray earlier this summer, missed Palace’s Premier League opener against Everton on Saturday amid interest from Galatasaray, though manager Pierre Sage said it was for medical reasons.
Atletico Madrid release furious Julian Alvarez statement amid Arsenal interest
Atletico Madrid insisted there is “zero per cent chance” they sell Julian Alvarez to Barcelona this summer and claim they are “the only victims” in the protracted transfer saga.
The 26-year-old forward has made it clear that he would like to join Barcelona but Arsenal continue to monitor the situation and may move to make a late deal for the Argentina international.
The Independent understands that Atletico would like Alvarez’s future to be decided by Friday. The forward was booed during a substitute appearance in Atletico’s draw with Villarreal on Sunday night and reportedly missed training on Wednesday, which the club put down to “illness”.
Forest keen to fend off Neco Williams interest from Spurs
Nottingham Forest are intent on fending off late interest in left-back Neco Williams amid interest from Tottenham, according to The Standard.
Forest insist the Welshman is not for sale and are trying to tie him down to a new contract.
Spurs, meanwhile, have not ruled out the move and would be open to understanding any requirements for a deal to happen, but recognise that a transfer is unlikely.
Villa forward joins Doncaster on loan
Aston Villa attacker Tommi O’Reilly has completed a loan switch to Doncaster Rovers.
Barcelona clarify Julian Alvarez dispute and remain keen to sign Atletico star
“First of all we have absolute respect for Atletico, and we have personal appreciation for their directors, because we’ve known each other for years,” Barcelona president Joan Laporta said in a statement.
“At Barca, we made an offer to Atletico, from club to club, I ratified this offer through a personal call I had with Miguel Angel Gil, He told me that they didn’t intend to sell the player as they didn’t have an alternative to Julian. I told him we were interested in him and we of course respect that, but if they could find an alternative, we would of course be interested in the player.
“I spoke to Deco and we decided to leave it since they didn’t want to sell the player. Then we received information that Atletico were negotiating with other clubs to sell the player. We thought our offer was still valid, it’s common knowledge that the player wants to come to Barcelona.
“Our offer is still valid to the end of the window in case Atletico want to sell the player. The truth is we’re very interested in the player and we’d like our offer to be accepted.”
