Julian Alvarez will ‘never, ever’ join Barcelona – but Arsenal remains a possibility
Arsenal target Julian Alvarez will “never, ever” be sold to Barcelona, according to Atletico Madrid chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin, who did not rule out the possibility of the Argentina international joining another club instead before the transfer deadline.
Alvarez made it clear earlier this summer that he wanted to join Barcelona but relations between the Spanish clubs have completely broken down over the transfer saga, with Gil Marin accusing Barcelona of “dishonesty” and a lack of “professionalism”.
Barcelona’s president Joan Laporta said on Wednesday that they were still interested in Alvarez despite Atletico’s stance, with Atletico then releasing a statement to confirm there was “zero per cent chance” of Alvarez moving to Camp Nou.
“Our intention and my personal dream is for him to stay with us, to remain at Atletico,” Gil Martin told Spanish broadcaster Movistar Plus after Thursday’s Champions League league phase draw in Monaco.
“To compete amongst the greats, you need great players, and Julian is one. If he believes that staying at Atletico Madrid is no longer feasible, we will look for an alternative, but it will never, ever be Barcelona.”
Gil Marin’s comments are the latest escalation in Atletico’s row with Barcelona. The Independent has reported that Atletico have set a Friday deadline for Alvarez’s future to be decided, with the forward missing consecutive training sessions this week.
(PA)
Jack Rathborn27 August 2026 21:37
Mikel Arteta on Gabriel Martinelli’s future
”Everybody knows and recognises how much we love Gabi,” Mikel Arteta said on Martinelli’s future at Arsenal.
“Whatever the outcome is, it will be because everybody agrees to that”.
Gabriel Martinelli looks set to leave the Gunners (Bradley Collyer/PA) (PA Wire)
Jack Rathborn27 August 2026 20:37
Chelsea agree cut-price Emiliano Martinez fee
Chelsea have agreed a £7.5m fee to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, according to The Telegraph’s Matt Law.
Martinez has wanted to leave Aston Villa for several years and new arrival Zion Suzuki had become their No 1.
Chelsea have acted quickly to sign the Argentina goalkeeper, following Robert Sanchez’s errors in the 3-2 win at Fulham on Monday.
Chelsea also have Mike Penders, the 21-year-old Belgian, but Martinez arrives to offer further competition.
The 33-year-old is set to sign a two-year deal with the option of a further 12 months, reports The Athletic.
Martinez will become Chelsea’s 12th signing of the summer – could it take them towards challenging for the title?
(PA Wire)
Jamie Braidwood27 August 2026 19:37
Xabi Alonso explains Enzo Fernandez’s absence from Chelsea squad amid Man City interest
Xabi Alonso said it was “decided” that Enzo Fernandez would not be in Chelsea’s squad to face Luton Town in the Carabao Cup, despite saying the previous day that he expected the midfielder to be involved.
Fernandez has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City this summer and Enzo Maresca’s side are expected to return with an offer for the Argentina international despite missing an informal deadline earlier this month.
“We assessed situations, individual and collective and we have decided he is not in the squad for today,” Alonso said before facing Luton, which is Chelsea’s first competitive home game of the new season.
Fernandez featured off the bench for Chelsea in their Premier League opener at Fulham on Monday and was booed by the home fans at Craven Cottage for his role in the Argentina’s World Cup semi-final win over England.
Fernandez received a comparatively warm reception from Chelsea supporters when he came on, having been previously booed during a friendly against Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge before the start of the season.
(Getty)
Jamie Braidwood27 August 2026 19:20
Man United offered Chelsea defender
Tosin Adarabioyo has been offered to Manchester United as a squad player, reports Ben Jacobs.
The Chelsea centre-back is down the pecking order under Xabi Alonso and could bring his experience to Old Trafford under Michael Carrick.
Adarabioyo joined the Blues on a free transfer from Fulham, meaning BlueCo could make another profit trading a player.
(PA)
Jack Rathborn27 August 2026 19:00
Enzo Fernandez made Chelsea request over Carabao Cup involvement
Enzo Fernandez is out of Chelsea’s squad to face Luton in the Carabao Cup.
César Luis Merlo reports that Fernandez requested to be omitted from the squad, despite Xabi Alonso stating that he was available on Wednesday.
Man City have been targeting Fernandez as a final midfielder for Enzo Maresca’s revamped side since succeeding Pep Guardiola.
City continue to be linked with Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez (John Walton/PA) (PA Wire)
Jack Rathborn27 August 2026 18:45
Marseille keen on Arsenal goalkeeper
Illan Meslier could be heading for the exit at Arsenal just weeks after signing for the Gunners.
The third-choice goalkeeper, behind David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga, joined after the expiry of his contract at Leeds United.
But now Foot Mercato reports Marseille could target the shot-stopper after losing Geronimo Rulli this summer.
Meslier could displace Jeffrey De Lange and gain valuable first-team football.
Arsenal goalkeeper Illan Meslier during the Emirates Cup match (PA)
Jack Rathborn27 August 2026 18:27
Fiorentina pushing to sign Man United forward Zirkzee ahead of Juventus
Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee looks to be heading back to Serie A, reports Sky Sport Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio.
Zirkzee could be a replacement for Moise Kean, who is set to join Como, with Fiorentina eyeing up Zirkzee and thought to have tabled a season-long loan for €5m (£4.3m) with an option to buy.
Juventus are also thought to be interested, with Zirkzee falling down the pecking order behind Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo as centre forward options under Michael Carrick.
(Getty)
Jack Rathborn27 August 2026 18:09
Napoli enquire about Woltemade
Napoli have enquired about signing Nick Woltemade from Newcastle United, with a loan mooted, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano. It is up to Newcastle whether they sanction the move…
Nick Woltemade has not settled at Newcastle (Getty)
Lawrence Ostlere27 August 2026 17:52
Manchester City consider Everton winger as replacement for departed duo
Manchester City are contemplating a move for Iliman Ndiaye to add to their forward options – with Jack Grealish perhaps going the other way to Everton.
Richard Jolly27 August 2026 17:37