Liverpool still want to sign another winger after agreeing a £100m fee, with £20m in add-ons, for top transfer target Bradley Barcola
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Copa Independent | Transfer window special: £100m dominoes, Villa’s woes and the incoming deadline day frenzy
Atletico Madrid have set a deadline of Friday for the transfer saga of Julian Alvarez to be decided amid interest in the forward from Barcelona and Arsenal. Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin has said Alvarez will “never, ever” be sold to Barcelona, but did not rule out the possibility of the Argentina international 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 £100m fee, with £20m in add-ons, with Paris Saint-Germain to sign Bradley Barcola 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 attracting 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:
Transfer news - live updates
Atletico Madrid have set a deadline of Friday for Julian Alvarez saga to be resolved
Arsenal and Barcelona interested in 26-year-old with valuation set around £128m
Liverpool agree fee for PSG's Bradley Barcola
Reds also interested in Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr with Cody Gakpo future in doubt
Man City hold interest in Enzo Fernandez with Chelsea prepared to sell midfielder
2 minutes ago
Chelsea prepared to sell Enzo Fernandez
Chelsea are prepared to sell Enzo Fernandez for the right price amid interest in the midfielder from Manchester City.
The Blues would also want to be able to improve their squad with the end of the window quickly approaching.
No talks between the two clubs have happened but Fernandez was not in the squad for Chelsea’s Carabao Cup win over Luton on Thursday.
Enzo Fernandez has been linked with a move to Manchester City (John Walton/PA
Enzo Fernandez has been linked with a move to Manchester City (John Walton/PA (PA Wire)
Mike Jones28 August 2026 08:00
6 minutes ago
Atletico Madrid set Julian Alvarez transfer deadline amid Arsenal interest
Atletico Madrid are pushing for the Julian Alvarez saga to be resolved by Friday, essentially giving the 26-year-old a choice to make on his future.
If Alvarez does agitate for a move to Arsenal, and the English champions meet an acceptable price, Atletico at least want the time to prepare for replacements.
Atletico Madrid set Julian Alvarez transfer deadline amid Arsenal interest
The Gunners are still hopeful that the situation could tilt in their favour as we get closer to the end of the window
Miguel Delaney28 August 2026 07:56
8 minutes ago
Good morning!
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of today’s transfer news.
We’ll have all the latest gossip, rumours and done deals throughout the day so stick with us as deadline day approaches...
Mike Jones28 August 2026 07:53