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 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:
Transfer news - live updates
Julian Alvarez misses training again before Atletico Madrid's deadline for offers
Arsenal and Barcelona interested in 26-year-old with valuation set around £128m
Liverpool agree fee for PSG's Bradley Barcola as Reds prepare medical for winger
Liverpool 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
Unai Emery reveals Ollie Watkins apology – but confirms tearful Aston Villa departure
20 minutes ago
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.
Jamie Braidwood29 August 2026 08:30
50 minutes ago
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’s Julian Alvarez gamble has paid off – with two cards still to play
Arsenal’s patient approach could yet pay off amid Atletico Madrid’s explosive breakdown in relations with Barcelona - now, the Gunners must lean on sporting director Andrea Berta to smooth negotiations, and be prepared to send another attacker the other way
Miguel Delaney29 August 2026 08:00
1 hour ago
Arsenal sign teenage forward
Arsenal have completed the signing of starlet striker Igor Tyjon from Blackburn Rovers.
Will Castle29 August 2026 07:00
2 hours ago
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.
(Getty)
Will Castle29 August 2026 06:00
3 hours ago
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.
Will Castle29 August 2026 05:00
4 hours ago
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.
Will Castle29 August 2026 04:00
5 hours ago
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."
Simeone vows to welcome back Alvarez at Atletico after Barcelona transfer refusal
Julian Alvarez has been linked with a move to Barcelona and Arsenal in the final week of the transfer window
Will Castle29 August 2026 03:00
6 hours ago
Chelsea's midfield targets in case of Enzo Fernandez exit
Chelsea are exploring their options as a late-window exit for Enzo Fernandez begins to look more and more likely.
The Blues could make a move to sign Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, per The Telegraph, who would reinforce the position while not being a like-for-like replacement.
The i Paper adds that Roma’s Manu Kone is being targeted after Chelsea gave up on their pursuits of Alex Scott and Adam Wharton.
(Reuters)
Will Castle29 August 2026 02:00
7 hours ago
Matthias Jaissle hopeful Nico Gonzalez will not be Newcastle's last signing
Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle is very hopeful that Nico Gonzalez will not be the last person through the door in this summer’s window.
Belgium wideman Matias Fernandez-Pardo tipped to move to Tyneside from Lille, while The Telegraph says there is admiration for Stuttgart’s Bilal El Khannouss.
“It’s the first message of the morning – to push,” Jaissle said. “The management and Ross (Wilson), the sporting director, they’re doing an amazing job, trying everything.
“We want to be smart, we don’t want to act in panic, so I’m really optimistic things will happen.”
(Getty)
PA29 August 2026 01:00
8 hours ago
Toby Collyer set for West Brom move
Manchester United midfielder Toby Collyer is set to leave the club on a permanent basis, per The Athletic.
The 22-year-old will join Championship side West Brom for £3m plus add-ons, with the deal worth a potential £7.6m.
Collyer played on loan at Hull City last season.
(Getty)
Will Castle29 August 2026 00:00
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