Arsenal Wait on Julian Álvarez as Barcelona Dream Persists
Julian Álvarez is ready to say yes to Arsenal this summer – but only if Barcelona cannot prise him out of Atlético Madrid.
The Argentine forward, who has made it clear his first choice is a move to Camp Nou, has been in contact with Mikel Arteta and Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta, according to reports in Spain. Those conversations have helped shift his stance: if Atlético block a sale to Barcelona, Álvarez is now open to joining the Premier League champions.
Arsenal are hunting a headline attacking signing and have turned to Álvarez after seeing one major avenue shut down. Juventus have ruled out letting Kenan Yildiz leave, closing the door on a deal for the 19-year-old and forcing the Gunners to look elsewhere for the elite forward Arteta wants to spearhead his title defence.
Liverpool hit brick walls in winger chase
Liverpool’s search for a new wide forward is turning into a grind.
The club sounded out Real Madrid over Endrick, exploring whether the Brazilian teenager could be prised away either permanently or on loan. Madrid’s response was blunt: Endrick is not for sale and not available.
That setback comes on top of frustration with Brighton over Yankuba Minteh. Liverpool have already seen two bids turned down, the latest around £60m, with Brighton holding firm and refusing to cash in.
The Reds also admire Bradley Barcola, but that pursuit looks even more complicated. Paris Saint-Germain value the Frenchman at around £145m, a figure that plants a huge obstacle in front of any realistic move.
For now, Liverpool are left circling targets, with prices rising and doors slamming shut.
United close on Baleba but left-back problem lingers
Manchester United have at least one major deal lined up.
A £70m agreement is in place with Brighton for midfielder Carlos Baleba, a move designed to inject power and legs into Michael Carrick’s side. But the weekend’s 2-0 defeat at newly promoted Hull underlined another issue that will not go away.
United still need a left-back.
That position remains a priority for the club hierarchy, who have explored a move for Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde. There has been contact between the two clubs, with Balde identified as a high-end solution for the flank.
The problem is the player. At 22 and already a Spain international, Balde does not want to leave Barcelona this summer, closing off what would have been a marquee answer to United’s defensive question.
So United edge closer to Baleba, Arsenal wait on Álvarez’s Barcelona dream, and Liverpool keep swinging at targets that refuse to budge. The window is open, but the market is fighting back.
