Manchester Giants Move: Arsenal's Gamble and Liverpool's Interest

Manchester City are closing in on their next Brazilian project. Talks with Palmeiras for midfielder Allan have accelerated, with a fee understood to be around €40m (£34m) for Enzo Maresca’s side.

Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano flagged the progress on Saturday night, with City now edging towards another significant investment in South America as Maresca reshapes the squad in his own image.

United walk from Lewis-Skelly – and land Baleba

Across town, Manchester United’s midfield rebuild has taken a very different route.

Arsenal’s versatile youngster Lewis-Skelly, capable of operating in midfield and elsewhere, drew serious interest from both United and Chelsea. Arsenal made it clear he could leave. The problem was the price.

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the fee quoted was simply “too high” for United, who promptly stepped away and turned back to a long-standing target: Carlos Baleba.

That decision has now crystallised into a blockbuster deal. Brighton have agreed to sell the 22-year-old midfielder, with Romano reporting that all documents between the clubs are signed and exchanged after United pushed their offer up to £65m plus £5m in add-ons, including a sell‑on clause.

United had seen an initial proposal of £60m plus £5m rejected. They returned, went higher, and this time Brighton shook hands. United finally have the dynamic midfielder they have tracked for over a year.

Back at Arsenal, Lewis-Skelly’s story has taken a twist of its own. Mikel Arteta has gone on record to say he is “100 per cent” certain the youngster will now stay, a stance that underlines how quickly valuations and opportunities can change in a single window.

Arsenal’s audacious Alvarez play

If that saga felt complex, Arsenal’s pursuit of Alvarez is even more tangled.

The Argentine left Manchester City for Barcelona in 2024 and has made no secret of his reluctance to return to England. He does not want a Premier League homecoming. Not yet.

Arsenal are refusing to back off.

Spanish outlet SPORT reports that Atletico prefer to send their striker to Arsenal rather than to a direct La Liga rival, and the Gunners are said to be ready to put down a staggering package: Viktor Gyokeres plus €80m (£68m) for Alvarez.

On top of that, the north London club are reportedly prepared to offer the Argentina international an annual salary of €25m (£21m), a wage that would place him among Arsenal’s top earners and, according to the same report, effectively double his current pay.

It is a last-ditch, heavyweight attempt to drag a reluctant star back to England. The money is on the table. The question is whether Alvarez’s stance softens.

Konsa arrives to stiffen Arsenal’s back line

One deal that is already done at Arsenal is at the other end of the pitch.

Ezri Konsa completed a £55m move from Aston Villa this week, a signing that adds pace, power and versatility to Arteta’s defence. He can play centrally or at right-back and arrives with Premier League and international experience.

“We’re delighted to have completed the signing of Ezri Konsa. Ezri is a defender of high quality, whose athleticism, composure and tactical intelligence have established him as one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers.

“Being comfortable in both central defence and at right-back, Ezri will bring valuable versatility to our squad while maintaining the high defensive standards which are fundamental to our challenge of winning major trophies.

“We are welcoming a player with proven Premier League and international experience, and strong leadership qualities, who will adapt seamlessly to our style of play. Just as importantly, we are welcoming a player with the character and mentality to make an immediate impact within our club. We welcome Ezri and his family to Arsenal.”

Konsa missed Arsenal’s opening game against Coventry City but is expected to be in contention to face his former club on Monday, August 31. He will wear the number 15 shirt.

Liverpool test Brighton’s resolve over Minteh

While Brighton prepare to lose Baleba, they are standing firm over another asset.

Liverpool have seen their opening bid for winger Yankuba Minteh rejected. The Athletic reports that the first offer, worth around £50m, did not meet Brighton’s valuation, but the response from the south coast does not sound like a flat refusal.

The sense is that Liverpool are not far away. Brighton’s stance suggests that, with a little movement, a deal can be struck.

For Liverpool, who have been searching for a natural option on the right flank, Minteh could be that solution. The rejected bid feels less like the end of the story and more like the start of serious negotiations.

As City close on Allan, United secure Baleba, Arsenal chase the almost-impossible with Alvarez and bed in Konsa, and Liverpool circle Minteh, one question hangs over the league: whose gamble in this window will define the season?