Transfer news LIVE: Gakpo chooses City, Atletico give Alvarez deadline, Barcola set for Liverpool medical, Enzo latest | OneFootball

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Copa Independent | Transfer window special: £100m dominoes, Villa’s woes and the incoming deadline day frenzy

Cody Gakpo is set to leave Liverpool and join Manchester City in a shock move between two Premier League giants. It comes after Liverpool 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.

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.

Manchester City remain in talks to sign Enzo Fernandez while Chelsea have signed Emiliano Martinez in a £7.5m deal from Aston Villa, 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.

Man City target Cody Gakpo but one hurdle remains for Liverpool to sanction sale

Manchester City have made contact with Liverpool about Cody Gakpo as they try to sign the forward before the end of the transfer window.

But Liverpool are unsure whether they can allow Gakpo to go as they consider whether City’s late move would give them time to bring in further signings.

City are looking for replacements for Savio and Omar Marmoush, who have both joined Tottenham, for an initial £75m and a loan that will become a £60m purchase respectively.

Richard Jolly30 August 2026 11:30

Armstrong to stay at Everton?

Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest looks to be off, reports the Telegraph.

Everton had accepted a £35m bid with Harrison given the green light to travel for a medical.

But with fans irate at the move and the prospect of losing a rare talent, the Toffees have backed out of the deal according to John Percy’s report.

Alex Scott of Bournemouth is challenged by Harrison Armstrong of Everton (Getty)

Unai Emery reveals Ollie Watkins apology – but confirms tearful Aston Villa departure

Unai Emery admitted he shed a tear as he received an apology from Ollie Watkins ahead of the Aston Villa striker’s move to Saudi Arabia.

Watkins is set to join Al Hilal in a £50m deal, with Emery’s side agreeing to sign Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea as his replacement.

The England international missed Aston Villa’s 4-0 defeat to Brighton on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

Emery was left seething by Watkins’ absence and said he could “only answer by silence”, but revealed an emotional farewell on Thursday.

“I can tell you now Watkins’ commitment and behaviour was fantastic always,” Emery said on Friday.

“Last week, we didn’t get a deal to finish playing the match against Brighton but he told us after the match that he was sorry and he told us he made a mistake and was wrong.

“We accepted it and the players did as well because he always had very good behaviour with me. For me, he’s a fantastic guy, even more so than as a player.

“I told him ‘bye’ with a huge hug and a small cry. But all the best with him in Saudi and with Nicolas Jackson replacing him.”

Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins is heading for the exit door (Nick Potts/PA) (PA Wire)

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 signed Nicolas Jackson after the departures of Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers, and have signed Johan Manzambi too.

(Getty)

Man City hold interest in Enzo Fernandez with Chelsea prepared to sell midfielder

Xabi Alonso said he wants players that “feel a desire to play” for Chelsea after Enzo Fernandez was left out of the squad for Thursday’s win over Luton.

Chelsea are open to Fernandez leaving before the transfer deadline, but Manchester City would need to pay more than the £120m asking price the Blues set earlier in the window.

Alonso has dismissed reports in Argentina that Fernandez asked not to be involved in the game against Luton and speaking ahead of Sunday’s Premier League game at home to Brighton, Alonso said: “We need the players that are in the best situation to play.

“We need to take everything into consideration, players that are in good moments, players that are not feeling that energy to play. For me it’s very important that they feel that desire to play and to have good preparation.

“We talked, and we decided that (for Luton) it was better not to be part of the squad. He’s a top player, there’s no doubt about that.”