‘Still a huge amount to do’ as Arsenal plot Julian Alvarez move
Atletico Madrid’s stance is hardline, and they want a total package for Julian Alvarez that amounts to €150m.
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta did come from Atletico, and there is the possibility that smoothes negotiations. In another advantage that Barcelona didn’t have, though, Arsenal can send attackers the other way. Viktor Gyokeres is currently seen as the most attractive option.
Arsenal may also be working late with one signing, but it’s part of a longer strategy where Alvarez was one of a few targets who fit exactly what they wanted. Because, on the whole, the squad is in good shape.
It’s almost exactly where Arteta wants it, bar that one piece. And Alvarez isn’t just a piece, but the attacker seen as taking this squad from one the manager is very happy with to his ideal.
He’s the player Arteta feels can take his attack to another level; “the x-factor”.
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Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer28 August 2026 11:40
Everton boss David Moyes on Iliman Ndiaye, Jack Grealish reports
Everton boss David Moyes expects Iliman Ndiaye to remain at the club this season.
It was reported yesterday that Manchester City are interested in the Senegal international as they look for replacements for the departed duo of Savio and Omar Marmoush.
“We’re certainly not in a hurry to sell our best players,” Moyes said. “We’ve got nothing to be concerned about. As far as I know we’ve had no contact from any club. There’s a lot of stuff that floats around that isn’t always true.”
A bid for Nidaye could come with the possibility of Jack Grealish going to the Merseyside club as part of the deal. Grealish has also been linked with Sunderland but Moyes confirmed that Everton are looking for new additions.
“We’ve not made any final decisions on that,” Moyes said. “We are in the recruitment business and we are looking to bring some players in if possible. To name just one person would be wrong.
Iliman Ndiaye is under consideration for Manchester City (Getty)
Jamie Braidwood28 August 2026 11:23
Chelsea defender Mamadou Sarr heads out on loan
Mamadou Sarr has joined Real Sociedad on a season-long loan.The 20-year-old defender, who signed a permanent deal from Strasbourg last summer, played six times for Chelsea last season and started for Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations final. Xabi Alonso’s side have signed Maxence Lacroix at centre-back, while Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana and Josh Acheampong are ahead of Sarr in the pecking order. “We wish Mamadou well in the Basque Country and look forward to monitoring his progress throughout the season,” the club said.
Jamie Braidwood28 August 2026 11:18
Arsenal’s Julian Alvarez gamble has paid off – with two cards still to play
Amid 48 hours when the Julian Alvarez saga brought a media storm in Spain, Arsenal are continuing to work away in the background. The hope is that a big calculation may yet pay off.
Mikel Arteta has long been aware that Alvarez’s first choice was Barcelona, and respects that, but his club were also aware that their Catalan rivals would struggle to do the deal. Even as far back as May, it was known that Barca had a lot to do to make the finances work, and that was before a deteriorating relationship with Atletico Madrid reached this dismal nadir.
Intermediaries have impressed upon him how Arteta is going to play him in his best position in Arsenal’s attack, which will allow both the player and the team to go onto the next level; that they can win the Champions League together.
It’s persuasive, but suddenly a lot to decide in a short space of time. Atletico want some kind of clarity as soon as Friday evening. And yet if that does mean Alvarez is ultimately open to joining Arsenal, it will prove a case of the club really holding their nerve over the long term.
Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer28 August 2026 11:00
Julian Alvarez misses third day of Atletico Madrid training
Julian Alvarez has missed his third day of training in a row ahead of Atletico Madrid’s reported deadline for offers for the 26-year-old forward.
Atletico travel to Sevilla in LaLiga tomorrow night and Alvarez, by the looks of things, is unlikely to be a part of that squad.
Arsenal are continuing to monitor developments and could yet make a late bid for the forward, with Atletico refusing to speak to Barcelona.
Rubén Uría reports that Alvarez was not involved in Atletico’s training session – he was reported as suffering an “illness” on Wednesday.
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Jamie Braidwood28 August 2026 10:40
Alonso explains reason for omitting Fernandez
Enzo Fernandez did not feature against Luton last night in the Carabao Cup for Chelsea.
Blues boss Xabi Alonso explained his reasons behind not selecting the midfielder.
“It was just because of the game today and we have other players who need minutes,” Alonso said in his press conference after the Luton win.
Asked when he decided Fernandez would not play against Luton, Alonso replied: “[On Wednesday], in the afternoon. It’s a decision that I took.
“Enzo is a good professional. He’s training well and I have nothing to say about this. It was just decisions that we have to take thinking about the game that we were playing tonight. We will see for Sunday.”
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Mike Jones28 August 2026 10:19
It does feel as though Marcus Rashford is on the path to being fully reintegrated back into Manchester United following his loan move to Barcelona last year.
He made an appearance off the bench in the 2-0 defeat to Hull last weekend and has been given the backing of manager Michael Carrick.
Yet, whilst the window remains open Rashford could still leave the club.
A Spor say Turkish side Fenerbahce want to sign the forward as they prepare for their Champions League campaign.
It is claimed that club president Cihan Kamer wants to hold talks over Rashford.
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Mike Jones28 August 2026 10:00
Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee is close to a loan move away from the club with Fiorentina interested in signing him.
The striker is down the pecking order at Old Trafford and will find his gametime limited this season under Michael Carrick.
Gazzetta report that Fiorentina are “in negotiations” over a £4.2m loan deal for Zirkzee, with the option to make the deal permanent next summer.
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Mike Jones28 August 2026 09:40
Arsenal have confirmed that Reiss Nelson has left the club following a mutally terminated end to his contract.
A statement read: “We can confirm that Reiss Nelson has left the club.
“Together with Reiss, we agreed to terminate his contract with immediate effect for him to become a free agent.
“Reiss, 26, spent 18 years with us, developing through our academy into senior level, making 90 first-team appearances, scoring eight goals and assisting nine times. He won the FA Cup in 2020 and played his part in our FA Community Shield victories in 2017 and 2020.
“Reiss made 68 appearances across our youth teams before signing his first professional contract with the club in December 2016.
“He had four loan spells during his time with us, firstly with Bundesliga team Hoffenheim in the 2018/19 season, then with Dutch club Feyenoord in 2021/22. He spent the 2024/25 campaign at Fulham, before remaining in west London with Brentford last season.
“Everyone at the club thanks Reiss for his contribution to Arsenal. We wish him and his family well for the future.”
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Mike Jones28 August 2026 09:20
Brighton boss happy with squad
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler says he is ‘happy’ with how his squad is shaping up but has not ruled out making more signings before the end of the transfer window.
“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.”
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Mike Jones28 August 2026 09:00