Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal stars to ‘knock on my door’ if worried about rumours
Mikel Arteta has urged his attacking stars to “knock on my door” if they are unsettled by Arsenal’s continued pursuit of Julian Alvarez.
The Independent reported that both Viktor Gyokeres, an unused substitute in Arsenal’s 3-0 win against Coventry last weekend, and Gabriel Jesus, not part of Arteta’s squad for the opener, could even be offered as part of a potential deal to sign Alvarez.
Arteta refused to be directly drawn on Arsenal’s interest in the former Manchester City forward, but when asked if the club’s links with the striker could be troubling some of his players, he replied: “Very simple. Whatever you read, if you have a question, come and knock on my door, and I will tell you whether it is true or not.
“Because a player in any position, if they read it, we could put a catalogue on the walls about all the players that we wanted in the last three months, and we would need the whole building.
“They know that there’s so much speculation. So if ever they feel the doubt of what we think about them, and if we’re going to recruit a player, I tell them straight away.
“And if we’re going to sign somebody in their position, I normally tell them. I say: ‘These are the plans and the reasons. We still believe in you, but the competition is going to increase’. I prefer to do it that way.”
The futures of Viktor Gyokeres, pictured, and Gabriel Jesus could be at risk (John Walton/PA) (PA Wire)
Jamie Braidwood28 August 2026 01:37
Liam Delap convinced by Oliver Glasner project
Here’s Delap on his £50m transfer to Nottingham Forest:
“This is a massive club with a big history,” Delap said.
“I spoke to the manager (Oliver Glasner) and I like his way, I think he can be the one to really help me develop and make that next step and hopefully I can bring goals here.
“As a team we can build something really strong and the main aim is to challenge and be a top club in the Premier League.”
Liam Delap has departed Chelsea (PA)
Lawrence Ostlere28 August 2026 00:37
Chelsea outline new Enzo Fernandez stance amid Man City interest
Chelsea want a higher price than £120m for Enzo Fernandez amid Manchester City’s ongoing interest in the midfielder.
Chelsea had long been open to business for a £120m fee for the Argentina international in what was already a complicated saga, but it is understood that no longer applies, partly due to how summer market valuations have risen.
One of the higher prices was the £116m fee City themselves paid to Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson this summer, and it now appears they would have to greatly increase on that club record to secure Fernandez.
Chelsea would also want to make sure they are able to secure a replacement. There remains a great deal of sensitivity and tension around the Fernandez situation, particularly with how former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca sees him as a key signing for his new club at City.
Fernandez was not in Chelsea’s squad to face Luton Town in the Carabao Cup on Thursday night, despite manager Xabi Alonso saying the previous day that he expected the midfielder to be involved.
Enzo Fernandez has been linked with a move to Manchester City (John Walton/PA (PA Wire)
Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer28 August 2026 00:09
Aston Villa set to miss out on Rafa Leao?
Galatasaray are hoping to hold off interest from Aston Villa for AC Milan’s Rafa Leão.
Fabrizio Romano reports the fee could be €45m plus add-ons, though the Turkish giants could offer a bumper contract to win out.
Many reports state that Gala’s offer of €12m per year is higher than Villa’s.
(Getty)
Jack Rathborn27 August 2026 23:37
Why Bradley Barcola should be the ‘perfect’ fit for Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool
They were separated by 264 days. December brought the outburst that ought to have accelerated Liverpool’s search for a winger. Almost nine months later came the news they had reached an agreement in principle to buy Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain.
Perhaps replacing Mohamed Salah was always going to be hard. Liverpool’s summer in the transfer market has certainly made it look so; the advance warning they had from the moment at Leeds when the Egyptian said he had been “thrown under the bus” and accused the club of breaking their promises to him should have given them a headstart. The subsequent rapprochement only had a temporary feel; it gave Liverpool months to find a successor.
And perhaps they still have not, and not merely because Barcola has yet to complete a medical. He is more of a left winger. But at an initial cost of just over £100m, potentially rising to £120m, he will be the flagship recruit on the flanks. Liverpool have already recruited a winger this summer, the rather cheaper Victor Munoz, whose debut as a substitute at Newcastle came in Salah’s old spot on the right. They also appointed a manager whose gameplan requires wingers, in Andoni Iraola.
Richard Jolly, Senior Football Correspondent27 August 2026 22:39
Nottingham Forest make bid for Palace star Daniel Munoz
Nottingham Forest are looking to splash the cash again after the £50m deal for Liam Delap.
The Athletic reports that a bid for Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz has gone in.
Forest have tabled an offer worth £20m, with a further £2m in add-ons for the Colombia star.
(Getty)
Jack Rathborn27 August 2026 22:37
Enzo Fernandez in talks over £120m Man City move after absence from Chelsea squad
Manchester City remain in talks to sign Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea after the 25-year-old midfielder was left out of Xabi Alonso’s side to face Luton in the Carabao Cup.
Chelsea are holding out for a £120m fee for the Argentina international, which would make Fernandez City’s record signing after the £116m fee City paid for Elliot Anderson.
Fernandez was not in Chelsea’s squad to face Luton Town in the Carabao Cup on Thursday night, despite manager Xabi Alonso saying the previous day that he expected the midfielder to be involved.
Fernandez has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City since the World Cup 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 told Sky Sports before facing Luton, which was Chelsea’s first competitive home game of the new season.
Miguel Delaney27 August 2026 21:48
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