Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal given Alvarez deadline, Barcola’s Liverpool medical, Chelsea make Enzo decision | OneFootball

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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.

Zirkzee close to loan move

Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee is close to a loan move away from the club with Fiorentina interested in signing him.

The striker is down the pecking order at Old Trafford and will find his gametime limited this season under Michael Carrick.

Gazzetta report that Fiorentina are "in negotiations" over a £4.2m loan deal for Zirkzee, with the option to make the deal permanent next summer.

(Getty)

Mike Jones28 August 2026 09:40

Reiss Nelson leaves Arsenal

Arsenal have confirmed that Reiss Nelson has left the club following a mutally terminated end to his contract.

A statement read: "We can confirm that Reiss Nelson has left the club.

"Together with Reiss, we agreed to terminate his contract with immediate effect for him to become a free agent.

"Reiss, 26, spent 18 years with us, developing through our academy into senior level, making 90 first-team appearances, scoring eight goals and assisting nine times. He won the FA Cup in 2020 and played his part in our FA Community Shield victories in 2017 and 2020.

"Reiss made 68 appearances across our youth teams before signing his first professional contract with the club in December 2016.

"He had four loan spells during his time with us, firstly with Bundesliga team Hoffenheim in the 2018/19 season, then with Dutch club Feyenoord in 2021/22. He spent the 2024/25 campaign at Fulham, before remaining in west London with Brentford last season.

"Everyone at the club thanks Reiss for his contribution to Arsenal. We wish him and his family well for the future."

Atletico's stance on Barcelona's Alvarez interest

Atletico Madrid previously put out a statement confirming that the club will not sell Julian Alvarez to Barcelona.

It reads: "The members of Atlético de Madrid's Board of Directors have unanimously expressed their absolute support for the club's decision to not negotiate the transfer of Julián Alvarez to FC Barcelona.

"The members of the Board of Directors acknowledge that 'Atlético de Madrid is open to standard transfer market negotiations when conducted in a professional, ethical and respectful manner. We fully stand behind the club’s previously communicated position that FC Barcelona failed to meet these requirements and, as a result, there will not be any negotiation and there is zero consideration of an Alvarez transfer to Barcelona.'

"Atlético de Madrid trust that our player will understand the decision and will remain focused on helping the club achieve its goals, just as he has done during the two seasons he has been defending our colours."

Alvarez will 'never, ever' be sold to Barcelona

The future of Julian Alvarez has been one of the long-standing stories throughout this transfer window.

The player is said to favour a move to Barcelona but that has seemingly been ruled out by Atletico’s chief executive saying that will ‘never, ever’ happen.

Alvarez has now missed training for two days in a row after he was also told there is a “zero per cent chance” that he joins Barcelona.

Arsenal continue to monitor the situation and may move to make a late deal for the Argentina international but Atletico have set a deadline of today for Alvarez’s future to be decided so that they have time to bring in a replacement.

He was booed during a substitute appearance in Atletico’s draw with Villarreal on Sunday night and missed a midweek match due to “illness”.

(PA)

Mike Jones28 August 2026 08:30

Cody Gakpo could yet leave Liverpool

If Liverpool bring in their targets (Bradley Barcola and Ismaila Sarr) then Cody Gakpo could still depart before the deadline on Tuesday.

Gakpo has been the subject of interest from Tottenham, and The Independent understands Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi is insistent that the club pursue the Dutchman, despite a summer outlay already in excess of £300m.

Asked on Thursday about Gakpo’s future, Iraola said: “When the market is open, you cannot guarantee anything with anyone.”

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Miguel Delaney28 August 2026 08:20

Liverpool continue pursuit of Ismaila Sarr from Crystal Palace

Liverpool are still pursuing Ismaila Sarr, despite seeing an initial offer of around £50m rejected by Crystal Palace.

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola wants to bring in three more players before the end of the transfer window, including two who can operate in wide positions. One of those will be France winger Bradley Barcola, after PSG accepted an offer of £100m plus £20m in potential add-ons for the 23-year-old.

And while Liverpool have moved on from Yankuba Minteh following Brighton’s resistance, The Independent understands the club are not yet discouraged from a deal to bring in Sarr.

Ismaila Sarr is wanted by Liverpool (Getty)