Atlético Madrid sets deadline on Julián Álvarez as transfer saga unfolds

Atlético Madrid have set a hard deadline of Friday for a decision on Julián Álvarez’s future, with the club digging in over Barcelona while leaving the door ajar for everyone else.

Chief executive Miguel Ángel Gil Marín has already made one thing crystal clear: Álvarez will “never, ever” be sold to Barcelona. Publicly, Atlético’s board backed that stance this week, accusing Barça of failing to act in a “professional, ethical and respectful manner” and vowing there would be “zero consideration” of any deal with the Catalan club.

That doesn’t mean Álvarez is staying put. Arsenal, who regard the 26-year-old as their top attacking target, are watching closely and weighing up a late move. Atlético want the situation resolved today to give them time to sign a replacement.

Tension has been building. Álvarez has now missed two consecutive training sessions and has been told there is a “zero per cent chance” of joining Barcelona, despite his preference for the move. He was booed by sections of the home crowd during a substitute appearance in Sunday’s draw with Villarreal and then missed a midweek game through what the club described as “illness”.

The standoff is now on the clock. By tonight, Atlético expect clarity: stay and refocus, or leave for anyone but Barcelona.

Liverpool go big on Barcola and push again for Sarr

Liverpool, meanwhile, are moving aggressively in the market. The club have agreed a £100m fee, with a further £20m in add-ons, with Paris Saint-Germain for Bradley Barcola after the French champions lowered their demands for the 23-year-old forward.

Andoni Iraola wants three more signings before the window shuts, including two wide players. Barcola will be one. The other could yet be Ismaila Sarr.

Liverpool have already seen an opening bid of around £50m rejected by Crystal Palace but are not backing away from the Senegal winger. Having walked away from Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh due to the south-coast club’s resistance, Liverpool are prepared to keep testing Palace’s resolve on Sarr.

All of that leaves Cody Gakpo in an awkward position. If Barcola and Sarr arrive, the Dutchman could be squeezed out before Tuesday’s deadline. Tottenham are keen, and Roberto De Zerbi is understood to be pushing hard for Spurs to land the forward despite a summer spend already beyond £300m.

Asked directly about Gakpo’s future, Iraola kept it blunt: “When the market is open, you cannot guarantee anything with anyone.”

Chelsea ready to cash in on Enzo as Martínez arrives

Across the league, Manchester City remain in talks over Enzo Fernández, and Chelsea are now open to selling the Argentina midfielder for the right price.

No formal negotiations between the clubs have taken place yet, but Chelsea’s stance is softening. Enzo was left out of Xabi Alonso’s squad for Thursday night’s Carabao Cup win over Luton, a notable omission as the clock ticks down.

Chelsea have already moved to address another area of concern. After a couple of costly errors from Robert Sánchez in Monday’s 3-2 victory at Fulham, the club have agreed a £7.5m deal with Aston Villa for goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.

If Enzo does go, Chelsea are prepared to turn back to Bournemouth’s Alex Scott as a midfield option. The final days of the window could reshape Alonso’s core in one hit.

Rashford’s future still in play as Fenerbahce circle

Marcus Rashford looks on course to be reintegrated at Manchester United under Michael Carrick, but his future is not completely settled.

The forward returned from his loan spell at Barcelona and came off the bench in last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Hull, with Carrick publicly backing him. For now, Rashford is part of the plans.

The market, though, hasn’t forgotten him. Turkish outlet A Spor report that Fenerbahce want to sign the 26-year-old as they gear up for the Champions League. Club president Cihan Kamer is said to be keen on holding talks over a possible move before the window shuts.

With time still on the clock, United may yet have a decision to make.

Zirkzee set for Fiorentina loan

One United forward who looks closer to the exit, at least temporarily, is Joshua Zirkzee.

The striker has slipped down the pecking order at Old Trafford under Carrick and is expected to see limited minutes this season. Fiorentina have moved to take advantage.

According to Gazzetta, the Serie A club are in negotiations over a £4.2m loan deal, which would include an option to buy next summer. For Zirkzee, it offers a clearer route to regular football; for United, it could be a simple way to protect his value.

Reiss Nelson’s long Arsenal chapter closes

At Arsenal, a long-running story has quietly reached its end. Reiss Nelson has left the club after his contract was terminated by mutual consent, allowing him to become a free agent.

Arsenal confirmed the decision with a statement that underlined the length and depth of Nelson’s connection to the club. The 26-year-old spent 18 years with the Gunners, rising through the academy to make 90 first-team appearances, scoring eight goals and providing nine assists.

He collected an FA Cup winners’ medal in 2020 and featured in Community Shield victories in 2017 and 2020. Across the youth ranks, Nelson played 68 times before signing his first professional deal in December 2016.

Loan spells followed at Hoffenheim in 2018/19, Feyenoord in 2021/22, Fulham in 2024/25 and then Brentford last season. Arsenal thanked him for his contribution and wished him and his family well. After nearly two decades in north London, Nelson now starts again on the open market.

Elliott attracting Italian interest

Another academy product facing a decision is Harvey Elliott. After a disappointing loan at Aston Villa last season, the midfielder has returned to Liverpool, but his stay may be short-lived.

Both Lazio and Napoli are interested, according to reports, and are weighing moves before the window closes next week. For Elliott, the question is simple: fight for a place in a crowded Liverpool midfield or take a fresh start in Serie A.

Brighton content but still alert

Down on the south coast, Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler sounds broadly satisfied with his squad but has left the door open to late business.

“I'm really happy with the squad so far,” he said. “We have a few issues with some injured players. But we're there to find solutions, not complain about anything.

“Regarding the depth of the squad, overall I'm quite happy. The next days, everything can happen but it has to be a good fit regarding personality, character and our style of play.”

Brighton, as ever, will only move if the profile is right.

The window is now in its final stretch. Atlético are forcing a resolution on Álvarez, Liverpool are spending big and reshaping their attack, Chelsea are weighing up a major midfield sale, and several long-serving talents are stepping into the unknown. The next few days won’t just tweak squads – they could redraw the Premier League’s balance of power for the season ahead.