Arsenal's Interest in Álvarez Amid Barcelona's Pursuit
Arsenal’s search for a headline forward has taken a familiar twist: they are the back‑up plan to Barcelona.
Julian Alvarez is understood to be open to a move to the Emirates this summer if his preferred switch to the Camp Nou collapses. The Atletico Madrid forward has held talks with Mikel Arteta and Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta, according to reports in Spain, and has warmed to the prospect of joining the Premier League champions should Atletico block any deal with Barcelona.
Arsenal want a marquee attacker to crown a title‑winning squad. Kenan Yildiz was high on their list, but Juventus have shut that door, ruling out a move for the highly rated forward and forcing the Gunners to look elsewhere. Alvarez, caught between Atletico’s stance and Barcelona’s intentions, has suddenly become a live option.
Liverpool hit a wall in winger chase
While Arsenal juggle alternatives, Liverpool are simply hitting brick walls.
The club sounded out Real Madrid over Endrick, testing whether the Brazilian could be prised away or even borrowed for a season. Madrid’s response was blunt: not for sale, not for loan.
Attention then swung to Yankuba Minteh. Liverpool have already seen two bids rejected by Brighton, the latest around £60m. Brighton are holding firm, and Liverpool’s patience is being stretched.
The next name on the list is Bradley Barcola. Liverpool want him. Paris Saint‑Germain have put a price on his head that borders on the prohibitive: about £145m. For a club trying to reshape its attack without losing control of its budget, that figure changes the conversation.
United close on Baleba but left-back problem lingers
At Old Trafford, Manchester United are moving with more certainty in midfield than in defence.
A deal is in place to bring Brighton’s Carlos Baleba to the club for around £70m, a significant investment in a player seen as central to Michael Carrick’s rebuild. But the 2-0 defeat at newly promoted Hull on the opening day underlined another issue: left back remains a glaring weak spot.
United want to fix it before the window closes. Alejandro Balde has been discussed, with contact already made between United and Barcelona. On paper, the 22-year-old Spain international fits the profile: young, quick, already schooled at the highest level.
The problem is simple and stubborn. Balde does not want to leave Barcelona this summer.
So United have a marquee midfield signing within reach, a defensive hole still exposed, and a clock that will not slow down for anyone.
