Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool get Barcola boost, Alvarez to Arsenal latest, Enzo saga takes twist

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Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool get Barcola boost, Alvarez to Arsenal latest, Enzo saga takes twist

Barcola is expected to leave the French champions with Liverpool interested while Arsenal are pursuing a move for Atletico’s Alvarez

Liverpool’s long-winded pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola has received its latest boost after more positive talks were held with the club over a transfer, with PSG insiders now expecting the winger to leave the club this summer. The Reds have also seen two bids for Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh turned down as they remain intent to bolster their options out wide.

Arsenal are hoping to secure the signing of Julian Alvarez to cap off a productive summer of incomings and boost their forward line as they look to defend their Premier League title. Alvarez is said to be open to the move having initially favoured a switch to Barcelona.

Elsewhere, Manchester City have agreed a €100m deal with Lille to buy midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi and have sold Savinho 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.

Across the city, Manchester United target Alejandro Balde reportedly wants to leave Barcelona with the Premier League club exploring a loan move for the left-back. Attention has now fully turned to bolstering that position after completing their £148m midfield rebuild with the signing of Carlos Baleba.

Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez were also absent from Aston Villa’s matchday squad amid rumours that both players could be preparing for imminent exits with Watkins’ in particular looking very close to a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.

Follow all of the latest news, rumours and done deals below

Liverpool could sell Cody Gakpo to rival to allow Bradley Barcola move

Liverpool remain intent on Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola, despite the fact the Qatari-owned project want well in excess of £110m for the French international. It was that price which put Arsenal off.

Such a deal could be offset by the sale of Cody Gakpo, in one of many situations in this market that almost resembles a housing-market chain. Manchester City remain interested, while Tottenham have also been linked.

Miguel Delaney26 August 2026 09:30

The pressure and the problem behind Liverpool’s transfer puzzle

Liverpool have a customary management meeting at the start of September, just after the transfer window closes, and the tone of it is currently subject to one main aim.

The football hierarchy, led by Richard Hughes, know the squad just has to be bigger. It’s an absolute priority, with a week of the window remaining, and there’s a pressure. Within that, though, there’s also a problem.

There are multiple areas to focus on, without that much money to spend. This is a strangely thin and lopsided squad. As one source says, “it’s like they’re in a boat with six different leaks but which one do you plug?” If they spend the available budget in one or two areas, they’re short in another.

Miguel Delaney delves into the details of Liverpool’s transfer puzzle:

The pressure and the problem behind Liverpool’s transfer puzzle

Reinforcements are needed if Andoni Iraola’s football is to be a success at Anfield – but, Miguel Delaney explains, choosing where to invest is not easy

Miguel Delaney26 August 2026 09:15

ICYMI: Tottenham complete £85m signing of Man City winger Savinho

Savinho has completed his £85m move from Tottenham to Manchester City as Spurs have taken their spending this summer past £300m.

The Brazilian becomes City’s record sale – replacing Julian Alvarez, who moved to Atletico Madrid for £82m two years ago – and one of the three most expensive players in Tottenham’s history, along with his new teammates Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.

Spurs will pay an initial £75m, with a further £5m of add-ons guaranteed and the potential for £5m more on top of that.

Tottenham complete £85m signing of Man City winger Savinho

Tottenham’s summer spending has now exceeded £300m after signing the Brazilian winger

Will Castle26 August 2026 08:52

Chelsea set to offload Liam Delap for record fee

Nottingham Forest have agreed a club record deal of £50m to sign Chelsea striker Liam Delap.

The former Ipswich man has been displaced in the No 9 shirt at Stamford Bridge by Joao Pedro and the Chelsea hierarchy were open to letting him leave after a disappointing first campaign at the club.

Chelsea will make £20m profit on a striker they signed for £30m, and who scored just two goals in 41 appearances.

The 23-year-old is expected to complete a medical on Wednesday.

Will Castle26 August 2026 08:41

Newcastle agree £52m deal for Manchester City midfielder as Bruno Guimaraes replacement

Newcastle have agreed a £52m deal with Manchester City for Nico Gonzalez and the midfielder is set to become their biggest summer signing.

The 2025 Carabao Cup winners will pay an initial £48m for the Spaniard with a potential £4m in add-ons.

It could give City a small profit after signing Gonzalez from Porto in January 2025 for £49m.

Gonzalez, while only 24, will become the oldest player Newcastle have signed this summer after they decided they need to add more experience following the departures of captain Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali from the midfield.

He is undergoing a medical today.

Newcastle agree £52m deal for Man City midfielder as Bruno Guimaraes replacement

The Spaniard is set to shore up Newcastle’s midfield after the departures of the influential Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali

Richard Jolly26 August 2026 08:38

Atletico Madrid and Aston Villa move for outcast Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson

Atletico Madrid have spoken to Chelsea about a loan for Nicolas Jackson, with a potential obligation to buy.

The London club would prefer an outright sale, as they attempt to offload a number of squad players ahead of transfer deadline day in eight days' time.

Aston Villa also considering Jackson, with a £65m deal being discussed.

Any move could have a knock-on effect on multiple other transfers.

Chelsea themselves are understood to be open to a versatile attacker should they complete enough outgoings, with Marcus Rashford an option that has been broached.

Atletico securing Jackson could meanwhile smooth Julian Alvarez's departure - potentially to Barcelona or even Arsenal - in what is already a protracted saga.

Atletico Madrid move for outcast Chelsea striker as potential Alvarez replacement

A move for Nicolas Jackson could smooth wantaway Alvarez’s departure with Arsenal circling

Miguel Delaney26 August 2026 08:37

Man City step up midfield rebuild with €100m deal for 18-year-old

Manchester City have agreed a €100m deal with Lille to buy midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.

The 18-year-old is set to become City’s second big-money midfield signing of the summer, and the third most expensive player in their history, as they continue their busy first summer under Enzo Maresca.

Bouaddi will arrive as City step up their midfield overhaul after the departures of captain Bernardo Silva, Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders.

City will pay an initial €95m deal with a potential €5m in add-ons, for the Morocco international.

He is set to join the £116m Elliot Anderson as part of City’s midfield revamp. Only Anderson and Jack Grealish have ever cost City more than his fee.

Will Castle26 August 2026 08:30

Why Ollie Watkins’ move to Saudi Arabia will tarnish his Aston Villa legacy

The England striker Ollie Watkins seems dead set on leaving Villa in the lurch to join Al Hilal – which, Richard Jolly writes, is a great shame for a club and player who were very good for one another:

Why Ollie Watkins’ move to Saudi Arabia will tarnish his Aston Villa legacy

The England striker seems dead set on leaving Villa in the lurch to join Al Hilal – which, Richard Jolly writes, is a great shame for a club and player who were very good for one another

Richard Jolly26 August 2026 08:28

ICYMI: Man Utd sign Carlos Baleba to complete £148m midfield overhaul

Carlos Baleba has joined Manchester United as Michael Carrick has completed a hat-trick of midfield buys this season.

The Cameroon international, who has signed a five-year deal at Old Trafford, has joined from Brighton for an initial £65m.

United could pay an extra £5m in add-ons for the 22-year-old, who believes he can reach a new level under Carrick, a former midfielder.

Man United seal Carlos Baleba deal to complete £148m midfield overhaul

The Brighton midfielder arrives for a fee of an initial £65m

Richard Jolly26 August 2026 08:25

Man Utd receive Alejandro Balde boost

Spanish publication Marca are reporting that Alejandro Balde has decided that he wants to leave Barcelona in a huge boost to Manchester United’s hopes of signing him.

The report says that Joao Cancelo’s arrival and the fact that Balde was left out of Barca’s matchday squad for the game against Elche has changed Balde’s mind about remaining at the club and fighting for his place.

United are the frontrunners for his signature but they are said to want a loan deal instead of a permanent transfer as previously reported.

Will Castle26 August 2026 08:22

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