Julian Alvarez Open to Arsenal Move If Barcelona Deal Fails

Julian Alvarez is ready to say yes to Arsenal this summer – but only if Barcelona cannot prise him out of Atletico Madrid.

The Atletico forward, whose first choice is a switch to Camp Nou, has been in direct contact with Mikel Arteta and Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta, according to reports in Spain. Those talks have helped shift his stance: if Atletico block a sale to Barcelona, Alvarez is now open to leading the line for the Premier League champions.

Arsenal have been hunting a headline attacking signing and had explored other options, but one door has already slammed shut. Juventus have ruled out letting Kenan Yildiz leave, ending any prospect of the highly rated forward joining Arteta’s squad in this window.

Liverpool's Search

While Arsenal weigh up their next move, Liverpool’s search for a winger is turning into a slog.

The Anfield club sounded out Real Madrid over Endrick, only to be told in no uncertain terms that the Brazilian is off limits. Madrid have no interest in selling and are not entertaining a loan either, leaving Liverpool to look elsewhere.

So far, that has brought only frustration. Two bids for Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh have been rejected, the latest worth £60m. Liverpool also like Bradley Barcola, but Paris Saint-Germain have put a huge £145m valuation on the France international, a figure that underlines how difficult that deal would be to pull off.

Manchester United's Moves

At Old Trafford, Manchester United have moved more decisively in midfield but still have work to do in defence.

United have an agreement in place to sign Brighton’s Carlos Baleba for £70m, a significant outlay aimed at reshaping Michael Carrick’s options in the centre of the pitch. Yet the need for a new left back has only grown after a bruising start to the league campaign.

Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at newly promoted Hull exposed United’s lack of depth on the left side of their back line and pushed the position up the club’s to-do list. Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde has been discussed and there has been contact between the clubs, but the 22-year-old Spain international has made it clear he does not intend to leave this summer.

So Arsenal wait on Alvarez and Barcelona. Liverpool keep knocking on closed doors for a winger. United, already under pressure after one game, still need a left back who actually wants to move.