Liverpool Pursues Real Madrid's Endrick After Minteh Rejection
The Premier League is back, but the market refuses to slow down. With just over a week left in the window, the biggest clubs in England are still scrambling to fix what they see as weaknesses – and some of the numbers being thrown around are eye-watering.
Liverpool’s winger hunt hits resistance
Andoni Iraola has been blunt: Liverpool need wingers. The squad looks light out wide after Curtis Jones’ €30m move to Inter Milan, and the new head coach wants at least two wide forwards to reshape the attack in the post-Mohamed Salah era.
The problem? Selling clubs know exactly how desperate Liverpool are.
Brighton have already rejected two substantial bids for Yankuba Minteh, the latest worth £60m after an opening offer of £50m. The Seagulls are digging in, confident in both the 21-year-old’s upside and the market’s inflation.
With that door only half open, Liverpool have started knocking elsewhere. The Times report that the club have made an enquiry to Real Madrid over Brazil forward Endrick. The 20-year-old spent last season at Lyon and was a squad player for Brazil at the World Cup, but his role under Jose Mourinho at the Bernabeu remains unclear. Liverpool are ready to test that uncertainty.
Bradley Barcola is another name high on their list, but Paris Saint-Germain’s stance borders on prohibitive. The French champions want £145m for the 21-year-old, a fee that would smash Liverpool’s transfer record and currently sits well beyond what the Anfield hierarchy are prepared to pay.
For Iraola, the need is obvious. Filling the Salah void is one thing. Doing it while rebuilding the squad’s depth on the flanks is another.
Arsenal pivot to Yildiz after Vinicius setback
Across north London, Arsenal are still fine-tuning a squad built to challenge on two fronts: the Premier League and the Champions League.
Mikel Arteta has long earmarked the left side of his attack as an area to upgrade. The dream signing was clear – Vinicius Jr. Real Madrid’s Brazilian star was viewed as the ideal fit, but his decision to stay at the Bernabeu forced Arsenal to redraw their plans.
Attention has now turned to Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz. The 21-year-old Turkey international is high on their list as they explore whether a deal is possible in this window. The option of waiting until January or next summer remains on the table, especially with other targets potentially becoming available by then.
One of those is Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi. Arsenal would likely have moved for him already but for his injury, and he is now seen more as a January possibility than a late-window gamble.
While the attacking jigsaw is still being assembled, one major piece at the back has already dropped into place.
Konsa arrives – and talks like a leader
Ezri Konsa has completed his £51m move from Aston Villa, becoming Arsenal’s fifth signing of the summer and potentially debuting against his former club as early as next week.
The defender spoke openly about the pull of Arteta and the club’s ambitions.
“I know he loves defenders who can really defend and defenders who are calm on the ball. His style suits me so I can't wait to get going,” Konsa said.
“It's a proud moment for me and my family to play for one of the best teams in the world. So yeah, a lot of emotions have gone through my head, but I think it will really kick in on the first matchday.
“I want to keep winning, [I’m] hungry to win and that’s what I’m here for. I'm here to win. I'll do everything in my power to continue bringing success to this club.”
Arteta has his man at the back. The question now is whether the club can deliver the left-sided forward he has wanted for so long.
Manchester United finally land Baleba
At Old Trafford, one long-running pursuit is close to a conclusion.
Manchester United have agreed a deal worth £70m with Brighton for midfielder Carlos Baleba, ending a chase that began last summer. The 20-year-old is set to undergo a medical this weekend, with Sky Sports reporting that he will sign a five-year contract. Brighton have secured a sell-on clause as part of the agreement.
The timing is significant. United open their Premier League campaign against Hull at lunchtime, and Michael Carrick will be boosted by the knowledge that midfield reinforcements are on the way, even if Baleba will not be involved immediately.
United’s midfield has needed fresh legs and energy. Baleba, if he adapts quickly, offers exactly that.
Tottenham move for Savinho as City line up Allan
Tottenham are making their own big move in the wide areas. They have agreed a deal with Manchester City to sign winger Savinho for an initial £75m, a statement of intent from a club keen to keep pace with the top four.
The Brazilian is not the only attacker Spurs are eyeing. Omar Marmoush has been tipped to follow Savinho, which would give Ange Postecoglou another direct, hard-running option in the final third.
City, meanwhile, are preparing their response. They have identified Brazilian winger Allan as a possible replacement for Savinho, a reminder that even the champions are not immune to the churn of this window.
Enzo Fernandez: City lurking as Chelsea hold firm
One of the more intriguing sagas that could yet flare up again involves Enzo Fernandez.
The Chelsea midfielder endured a turbulent summer, ending with a red card and defeat in the World Cup final, and he was booed on his return to Stamford Bridge. Fernandez has previously indicated he would be open to leaving, and new Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca knows him well and is a big admirer.
Chelsea, though, have tried to seize control of the situation. They set a deadline of 5pm on Friday 14 August for bids, and with that date gone, they now expect Fernandez to stay. Xabi Alonso has spoken positively, saying the Argentine is “training really well” ahead of the new season.
Even so, City are capable of unsettling the picture. A bid close to Chelsea’s £120m valuation would seriously test the London club’s resolve before the window shuts.
Curtis Jones’ Liverpool chapter closes
While Liverpool scramble for wingers, one of their own academy products has moved on.
Curtis Jones has completed his €30m transfer to Inter Milan, signing a five-year deal. Liverpool could earn a further €5m in achievable add-ons and have inserted a 10 per cent sell-on clause.
Jones was entering the final year of his contract, and Liverpool risked losing him for nothing next summer. Inter had an earlier €25m bid rejected in June, but the Italian club returned with an improved offer that Anfield could not ignore.
Iraola had wanted to keep the 25-year-old, yet Jones made it clear he wanted a new challenge. Inter have given him that. Liverpool must now replace both his minutes and his versatility.
Arsenal and Osimhen – a bold idea, for now
Back at Arsenal, another name refuses to disappear from the rumour mill: Victor Osimhen.
Reports in France suggest the Galatasaray striker, 27, would appeal to the Gunners if he reduced his wage demands. It would be an audacious move, especially with Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus already at the club.
The former Napoli forward has long been linked with the Premier League, his all-action style seen as a natural fit. For now, though, this feels more like an idea than an active pursuit.
Villa eye Jackson as striker market heats up
Aston Villa are also looking to strengthen up front. Chelsea are braced for a bid from Unai Emery’s side for Nicolas Jackson, with an offer expected to be close to the £65m valuation.
Jackson, 25, comes into the season off a lively World Cup but a disappointing loan spell at Bayern Munich. Villa see an opportunity; Atletico Madrid, by contrast, are thought to be out at that price, even as they hold a lofty £150m valuation of Julian Alvarez, who has admirers at both Barcelona and Arsenal.
The striker market is moving, and quickly.
Minteh, Barcola, Alvarez – and the final week ahead
From Barcola’s £145m price tag to Brighton’s refusal to buckle over Minteh, this window has already produced some staggering numbers. Barcelona’s capture of Rodri, the high-profile moves of Morgan Rogers, Elliot Anderson and Bruno Guimaraes, and a flurry of Premier League business have set the tone.
But the final stretch is where the landscape can shift again. Liverpool still need wingers. Arsenal still want a left-sided attacker. Manchester United are banking on Baleba to transform their midfield. Tottenham are betting big on Savinho. Manchester City may yet test Chelsea over Enzo Fernandez.
The clock is ticking. Who blinks first?
