Diego Simeone vows to welcome back Julian Alvarez at Atletico Madrid after Barcelona transfer refusal
Diego Simeone has insisted he remains ready to welcome Julian Alvarez back into the Atletico Madrid fold as the stalemate surrounding the striker’s proposed transfer to Barcelona continues.
Simeone said: “I understand that all the questions will be about Julian. The club has been very clear about what will happen.
“From a sporting perspective, I hope to help him continue being as important as he still is. My focus is on Sevilla, where he won’t be available.
“When he returns, we’ll give him everything he needs to feel important. In life, anything can be reversed, as long as we have our health.”
Flo Clifford29 August 2026 11:25
Appetite for more Celtic signings
Martin O’Neill is eager for Celtic to make more signings before the window slams shut, in light of their humiliating Champions League exit to LASK.
“We’re still trying to get some players in,” he said ahead of this weekend’s game with Falkirk.
“We’ll need a few to supplement the squad. I am hoping we can get some people in before the transfer deadline.
(PA)
Will Castle29 August 2026 11:00
Xabi Alonso wants players with ‘desire to play’ amid Enzo Fernandez speculation
Xabi Alonso said he wants players that “feel a desire to play” for Chelsea after Enzo Fernandez was left out of the squad for Thursday’s win over Luton.
Chelsea are open to Fernandez leaving before the transfer deadline, but Manchester City would need to pay more than the £120m asking price the Blues set earlier in the window.
Alonso has dismissed reports in Argentina that Fernandez asked not to be involved in the game against Luton and speaking ahead of Sunday’s Premier League game at home to Brighton, Alonso said: “We need the players that are in the best situation to play.
“We need to take everything into consideration, players that are in good moments, players that are not feeling that energy to play. For me it’s very important that they feel that desire to play and to have good preparation.
“We talked, and we decided that (for Luton) it was better not to be part of the squad. He’s a top player, there’s no doubt about that.”
Jamie Braidwood29 August 2026 10:40
Bradley Barcola set for big-money move to Liverpool as deal agreed
Liverpool will pay an initial £106m for the France winger, which could rise to £123m, including add-ons, and he is expected to sign a five-year deal at Anfield.
They had reached an outline agreement with Paris Saint-Germain earlier this week after a breakthrough in negotiations.
The Champions League winners had quoted Liverpool £145m for Barcola, but that was more than the Merseyside club were prepared to pay.
Flo Clifford29 August 2026 10:20
Barcola to Liverpool? Alvarez to Arsenal? Ten big transfers that could still happen before deadline day
The summer transfer window closes on 1 September as clubs across Europe aim to wrap up their summer business ahead of the 2026/27 season.
But while some teams will feel their business is done this summer, most clubs – especially some in the Premier League – know they need more arrivals if they’re to compete this season.
Manchester City, Newcastle and Aston Villa will need to replace some of their outgoing stars, while Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and even champions Arsenal are all hoping to make late additions in the coming days – and big-spenders Tottenham might not be done just yet.
So, with just a few days left of the window, here are 10 big transfers that could still happen before deadline day:
Chris Wilson & Lawrence Ostlere29 August 2026 10:00
Atletico Madrid give Alvarez deadline on decision
Atletico Madrid have given Arsenal target Julian Alvarez a deadline of Sunday to decide his future, with his options either to consider a move to the Premier League champions or stay at the club.
Atletico’s chief executive said the Argentina star will “never, ever” be sold to Barcelona, his preferred choice, with Alvarez now considering his options.
The 26-year-old will not feature in the squad to play Sevilla this weekend after missing three consecutive days of training, with boss Diego Simeone confirming his absence.
(PA)
Flo Clifford29 August 2026 09:30
Liverpool agree long-term deal for Bradley Barcola
Bradley Barcola is set to sign a deal with Liverpool taking his time at Anfield to 2031, according to Sky Sports.
A deal in principle has been agreed with the overall package worth around £120m, after PSG lowered their valuation for the France international.
Liverpool are now reportedly set to pay £106m up front, with £17m in add-ons, with the 23-year-old still to undergo a medical at Anfield.
Liverpool have agreed a £120million deal for Paris St Germain’s Bradley Barcola (Adam Davy/PA) (PA Archive)
Flo Clifford29 August 2026 09:00
More movement at Aston Villa? Ibrahim Mbaye fee ‘agreed’
Aston Villa’s busy summer looks set to continue: David Ornstein of The Athletic reports that Unai Emery’s side have reached an “agreement in principle” to sign 18-year-old winger Ibrahim Mbaye from Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbaye was linked to Liverpool earlier in the window and has been left out of PSG’s squad for the last three games, along with the outgoing Bradley Barcola. The Athletic report that Villa have reached a €55m (£47m) for the forward.
Meanwhile, Villa target Rafael Leao is set to join Galatasaray from AC Milan. Sky Sports report that Leao has accepted the move after Villa did not match Galatasaray’s offer on wages.
Villa have also agreed to sign Nicolas Jackson after the departures of Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers, and have signed Johan Manzambi too.
Jamie Braidwood29 August 2026 08:30
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.
On Thursday, it was finally communicated that Atletico’s official position is that they will “never , ever” sell Alvarez to Barcelona. This was as key representatives of both clubs – as well as Arsenal – were at the Champions League draw in Monaco. That naturally fostered a lot of intrigue, as well as some mirth, for those present.
Miguel Delaney29 August 2026 08:00
Arsenal have completed the signing of starlet striker Igor Tyjon from Blackburn Rovers.
Will Castle29 August 2026 07:00