Julian Alvarez would welcome a move to Arsenal this summer – if his dream move to Barcelona falls through. The Atletico Madrid forward has been in contact with Mikel Arteta and Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta, according to reports in Spain, and Alvarez has come round to the idea of joining the Gunners if Atletico refuse to sell to Barcelona. Arsenal want to a sign a marquee attacker this summer, but Juventus have closed the door on forward Kenan Yildiz joining the Premier League champions.
Liverpool, meanwhile, continue to be frustrated in their approach for a new winger. The Reds enquired over the availability of Real Madrid forward Endrick but the Spanish giants have made clear that the Brazilian is not for sale, or perhaps even available on loan. Liverpool’s have already seen two offers for Yankuba Minteh, the latest for £60m, rebuffed by Brighton, and want Bradley Barcola, but Paris Saint-Germain are looking for £145m.
Manchester United have a deal in place to sign Brighton’s Carlos Baleba for £70m but adding a new left back to Michael Carrick’s squad remains a priority too, following the 2-0 opening day defeat at newly promoted Hull on Saturday. Barcelona left back Alejandro Balde has been considered and there has been contact between the clubs, but the 22-year-old Spain international does not want to leave this summer.
Follow all of the latest news, rumours and done deals below
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Transfer news - live updates
- Julian Alvarez would welcome Arsenal move as alternative to Barcelona
- Liverpool told Real Madrid's Endrick not for sale after continuing winger search
- Manchester United make contact with Barcelona over left back Alejandro Balde
Roberto De Zerbi says Tottenham ‘not a team’ and names three struggling players
10:30 , Jamie BraidwoodTottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi said his new-look side are “not a team yet” as he named three players who are yet to return to full fitness after the summer.
Despite a transfer window of big spending, with the signing of Savinho set to take Tottenham past the £300m mark, Spurs were humbled 3-0 by Brentford in a dismal opening day defeat.
“For many reasons I think we are not a team yet”, De Zerbi said. We are not at the right point in physical condition “But no excuse. When you are building a new project I don’t want time, but we have to pass through these problems.
“I believe in my players, my club and myself. I think we are working well but we are late for the start of the Premier League. It’s a step we have to improve quickly. We could fight stronger than we did today and we lost too many duels. The target is to become a team. To find the spirit, the soul, is a process.”
De Zerbi handed debuts to five of Tottenham’s six summer recruits, but said “Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke and Sandro Tonali are not in the best physical condition”.
De Zerbi added: “We knew that before the game. We have to improve on that and many other things, like organisation and pressing.
“We can improve quickly but first, we have to understand this game better. I know their physical condition and new players but we have to put something more. We had to fight more. Players know I have a lot of confidence in them and we hope to improve quickly.”
‘Strange’ Bruno Fernandes criticism highlights recurring Man United ‘mistakes’
10:00 , Jamie BraidwoodManchester United captain Bruno Fernandes lamented his side making the “same mistakes as we did last season in every away game” following their shock 2-0 defeat to newly promoted Hull to begin the new Premier League campaign.
There was plenty of optimism around United before kick off after Michael Carrick led them to third place in the Premier League last season but they were brought back to earth as first-half goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy gave Hull a deserved win on their return to the top-flight.
"Same mistakes as we did last season, every away game we give too much of the ball to them,” Fernandes told TNT Sports. "In the first 20 minutes, the goalkeeper was the one with the most touches. We needed to press more, be more aggressive, and then again we need to work on set-plays and not concede these type of goals. Against these types of teams, they are waiting for that moment.”
Wayne Rooney, meanwhile, questioned why United were making the same mistakes in away fixtures.
“It’s a strange quote from Bruno,” Rooney said on Match of the Day. “I think for Manchester United now to build on what they did last season, since Michael went in they finished third in the Premier League and got Champions League football, to build on that you have to become a team who teams are scared of playing against.”
Where are Man City in midfield search?
09:30 , Jamie BraidwoodManchester City’s midfield rebuild is not yet complete, Enzo Maresca has said, with Enzo Fernandez and Adam Wharton both linked with the club in recent days. City are poised to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi but the departure of Rodri has still left Maresca short.
"I'll try to find a new Rodri - it is what it is,” Maresca said on Friday. “Rodri, before he arrived here, he didn't win the Ballon d'Or, he didn't win the Champions League, he didn't win the Club World Cup. Then he joined the club and then after he achieved many important things.”
It would take around £120m for City to sign Fernandez while it would also take a huge fee to convince Palace to sell Wharton at this stage of the window. But City are set to sell Savinho and Omar Marmoush to Tottenham in a double swoop that could reach around £150m. They are in talks over signing Brazilian winger Allan from Palmeiras. The 22-year-old has a release clause of £85m.
City kick off their Premier League campaign at home to Bournemouth at 2pm this afternoon.
Will Ollie Watkins join Aston Villa exodus?
09:00 , Jamie BraidwoodAston Villa begin their Premier League campaign at Brighton this afternoon but will Ollie Watkins be part of their squad?
Aston Villa have turned down four bids for the England international from Saudi club Al Hilal amid reports that the 30-year-old wants to move away.
Unai Emery said on Friday: "We have an issue with him, it is clear. We had offers for him but he is our player. I don't want to sell him but it can change if it is a good option for him, the club and I can replace him in the squad.”
Villa could turn to Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson if Watkins follows Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa and Lucas Digne in leaving this summer.
Man Utd target Alejandro Balde wants to fight for Barcelona place
08:30 , Jamie BraidwoodManchester United target Alejandro Balde wants to remain at Barcelona this summer, according to Mundo Deportivo in Spain. Signing a left back remains a priority for United this summer, following the 2-0 opening day defeat at newly promoted Hull yesterday, and there has even been contact between the clubs. But the 22-year-old Spain international Balde wants to remain at this boyhood club and fight for his place in the team this season.
Liverpool continue to be frustrated in search for a winger
08:22 , Jamie BraidwoodLiverpool continue to be frustrated in their approach for a new winger. The Reds reportedly enquired over the availability of Real Madrid forward Endrick in the past few days, but the Spanish giants have made clear that the Brazilian is not for sale, or available to join on loan.
Liverpool’s have already seen two offers for Yankuba Minteh, the latest for £60m, rebuffed by Brighton, and want Bradley Barcola, but Paris Saint-Germain are looking for £145m.
Barcola, however, has been left out of PSG’s squad to play Rennes on Sunday evening. It’s the third game in a row where the France international has been left out of the PSG squad, following the Super Cup against Aston Villa and the French Super Cup against Lens.
Today's top story: Alvarez would welcome Arsenal move?
08:17 , Jamie BraidwoodJulian Alvarez would welcome a move to Arsenal this summer – if his dream move to Barcelona falls through. That’s according to the Standard, who report that the Argentina international’s stand-off with Atletico Madrid is beginning to turn sour as he continues to push for a move away. Alvarez is not for sale this summer, according to Atletico, who play Villarreal this afternoon.
Alvarez has been in contact with Mikel Arteta and Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta, according to reports in Spain. AS report that Alvarez has come round to the idea of joining the Gunners if Atletico refuse to sell to Barcelona and the door to joining the Premier League champions remains open.
Arsenal want to a sign a marquee attacker this summer, but Juventus have closed the door on forward Kenan Yildiz joining the Premier League champions. Luciano Spalletti told reports that the Turkey international is not for sale and Juventus want to keep the 21-year-old for the upcoming season.
