Arsenal Eyes Julian Alvarez If Barcelona Move Fails
Julian Alvarez has set his heart on Barcelona. But if that door slams shut, Arsenal are waiting on the other side.
The Atletico Madrid forward has, according to reports in Spain, already spoken with Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta. Those conversations have softened Alvarez’s stance on a move to north London, with the 24-year-old now open to joining the Premier League champions if Atletico block any switch to Barcelona.
Arsenal are hunting a headline attacking signing this summer. They have been pushed away from one target already, with Juventus making it clear that Kenan Yildiz will not be leaving Turin for the Emirates. That setback has only sharpened the focus on Alvarez, whose future now sits at the crossroads of two of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Liverpool hit brick walls in wide forward chase
While Arsenal circle Alvarez, Liverpool keep running into locked doors.
The club sounded out Real Madrid over Endrick, exploring whether the Brazilian teenager could be prised away or even taken on loan. Madrid’s answer was blunt: not for sale, not available.
Attention then swung back to the Premier League. Liverpool have already seen two bids rejected for Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh, the latest rising to £60m. Brighton have held firm, unwilling to cash in despite the size of the offers.
The market on the continent looks no easier. Liverpool admire Bradley Barcola, but Paris Saint-Germain have planted a huge “hands off” sign on the France international with a price tag of around £145m. For a club trying to reshape its attack, every option seems to come with a warning label.
Manchester United close on Baleba but left-back hunt intensifies
At Old Trafford, Manchester United have moved quicker.
A deal is in place for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba at £70m, a significant outlay designed to give Michael Carrick more power and control in the middle of the pitch. But the opening weekend offered a harsh reminder that the rebuild cannot stop there.
United’s 2-0 defeat at newly promoted Hull on Saturday exposed glaring issues down the left side of their defence. A new left back has jumped from long-term consideration to immediate priority.
Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde has been one of the names on the list. United have made contact with the Catalan club over the 22-year-old Spain international, testing the waters on a possible move. The response from the player’s side is clear for now: Balde does not want to leave this summer.
So the window rolls on. Arsenal wait on Alvarez and Barcelona’s next move. Liverpool search for a winger who is both available and affordable. United, even with Baleba incoming, still need someone to lock down that left flank.
