Julian Alvarez Open to Arsenal Move if Barcelona Deal Fails
Julian Alvarez has set his sights on Barcelona this summer – but he is ready to turn to Arsenal if that dream move dies on the negotiating table.
The Atletico Madrid forward has held talks with Mikel Arteta and Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta, according to reports in Spain, and has warmed to the idea of leading the line for the Premier League champions. The plan is clear at the Emirates: sign a marquee attacker. The problem is finding one clubs are actually willing to sell.
Arsenal’s interest in Kenan Yildiz has already hit a wall. Juventus have shut down any prospect of the highly rated forward heading to England, forcing the Gunners to look elsewhere while they wait to see whether Atletico will even consider dealing with Barcelona – or be more open to sending Alvarez to North London instead.
Liverpool hit brick walls in winger hunt
Up at Anfield, the mood is no less tense. Liverpool’s search for a new winger has turned into a grind of rejections and inflated price tags.
The club sounded out Real Madrid over Endrick, hoping to test the waters on a permanent deal or even a loan. Madrid’s response was blunt: the Brazilian is not for sale, and not available to borrow either.
Attention then swung back to the Premier League. Liverpool have already seen two bids for Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh knocked back, the latest a hefty £60m offer. Brighton refused to budge. The Merseyside club also admire Bradley Barcola, but Paris Saint-Germain have planted a huge “hands off” sign on the France international, valuing him at around £145m.
United move for Baleba as left-back search drags on
Manchester United, meanwhile, have made their first big move of the window. A deal is in place to bring Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba to Old Trafford for £70m, a significant outlay as the club tries to reset under Michael Carrick.
Yet the opening-day reality check has sharpened priorities. A 2-0 defeat at newly promoted Hull on Saturday underlined the need for a new left back, and that search is now running alongside the Baleba move.
Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde has been discussed between the clubs, with contact already made, but that route looks blocked for now. The 22-year-old Spain international does not want to leave Camp Nou this summer, leaving United to weigh up alternatives as the clock ticks on a window that is already testing the resolve of England’s biggest clubs.
