Atlético Madrid Reject Barcelona's Pursuit of Julián Álvarez

Atlético Madrid have slammed the door on Barcelona’s pursuit of Julián Álvarez – and nailed a deadline to the whole saga.

Club chief executive Miguel Ángel Gil Marín has already made it clear Álvarez will “never, ever” be sold to Barça, a stance backed unanimously by the board. A formal club statement underlined that there will be “zero consideration” of any deal with the Catalan side, accusing Barcelona of failing to act in a “professional, ethical and respectful manner” during talks.

The message is blunt: they will negotiate in the market, but not with Barcelona for this player.

That does not mean Álvarez is guaranteed to stay. Atlético have set today as the cut-off for his future to be resolved so they have time to bring in a replacement if he leaves. Arsenal, who see the 26-year-old as their top attacking target, are watching closely and weighing up a late move.

The tension around the forward has been growing. Álvarez has now missed two consecutive training sessions and has been told there is a “zero per cent chance” he joins Barcelona despite his preference for a move to the Camp Nou. He was booed by sections of the home support during a substitute appearance in Atlético’s draw with Villarreal on Sunday and then missed a midweek game, officially due to illness.

Atlético insist they expect him to remain focused “on helping the club achieve its goals”, as he has over the past two seasons. By tonight, they want to know whether that commitment will continue in Madrid or be tested somewhere else – just not in Barcelona.

Liverpool push ahead on Barcola and Sarr as Gakpo future hangs

Liverpool have moved aggressively in the final days of the window, agreeing a £100m fee – with a further £20m in add-ons – with Paris Saint-Germain for Bradley Barcola after the French champions softened their demands.

Andoni Iraola wants three more signings before the deadline, including two wide forwards. Barcola, 23, will be one of them if the deal is completed, while Liverpool remain locked on to Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr.

Liverpool saw an initial offer of around £50m for Sarr rejected, but they have not been discouraged and are still pushing to bring the Senegal international to Anfield. The club have already moved on from Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh, after resistance from the south-coast side made a deal unlikely.

All of this has direct consequences for Cody Gakpo. If Liverpool land their attacking targets, the Dutchman could yet leave before Tuesday’s deadline. Tottenham are keen, and Roberto De Zerbi is understood to be insistent that Spurs keep pursuing Gakpo despite a summer spend already north of £300m.

Asked on Thursday if he could guarantee Gakpo would stay, Iraola was blunt: “When the market is open, you cannot guarantee anything with anyone.” Liverpool’s business in the next few days may decide whether Gakpo is part of their long-term picture or the next high-profile name to move on.

Chelsea ready to cash in on Enzo as Martínez deal agreed

At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are braced for a major midfield decision. The club are prepared to sell Enzo Fernández for the right price, with Manchester City in talks over a potential move.

No agreement has been reached between the clubs, but Chelsea’s stance is clear: if City meet their valuation and the Blues can strengthen their squad in time, they will not stand in Fernández’s way. The Argentina midfielder was left out of Xabi Alonso’s squad for Thursday night’s Carabao Cup win over Luton, underlining the uncertainty around his future.

Chelsea have already acted in goal. They have agreed a £7.5m deal with Aston Villa to sign Emiliano Martínez after a shaky display from Robert Sánchez in Monday’s 3-2 win at Fulham, when his errors proved costly despite the result. With Martínez on his way, Chelsea are also weighing up their midfield options.

If Fernández does depart, Bournemouth’s Alex Scott is a possible solution. Chelsea could turn back to the 20-year-old, who has long been admired at Stamford Bridge, as they look to reshape the core of their team in the final stretch of the window.

Rashford’s United future still in the balance

Marcus Rashford’s story at Manchester United is not finished yet, but the ending is still unwritten.

After a loan spell at Barcelona last season, the forward has begun to edge back into the fold at Old Trafford. He came off the bench in United’s 2-0 defeat to Hull last weekend and has been publicly backed by manager Michael Carrick, who wants to reintegrate him into the squad.

The problem? The window is still open, and interest is growing. Turkish side Fenerbahce are pushing to sign Rashford as they prepare for their Champions League campaign. A Spor report that club president Cihan Kamer wants direct talks over a deal.

United must now decide whether Rashford’s long-term future lies in Carrick’s plans or in a fresh start abroad. Until the deadline passes, the door remains ajar.

Zirkzee set for Fiorentina switch

Another United forward looks far closer to the exit. Joshua Zirkzee is on the verge of a loan move to Fiorentina, with the Italian club in negotiations over a £4.2m deal that includes an option to buy next summer, according to Gazzetta.

Zirkzee has slipped down the pecking order under Carrick and faces limited game time this season. Fiorentina see an opportunity: a relatively low-risk loan now, with the chance to make it permanent if he delivers in Serie A.

For United, it is a chance to trim the squad and give a talented but peripheral striker the minutes he is unlikely to get at Old Trafford.

Reiss Nelson’s 18-year Arsenal journey ends

At Arsenal, one of the club’s longest-serving academy products has walked away in search of a new chapter.

Reiss Nelson has left the Emirates after his contract was terminated by mutual consent, ending an 18-year association with the club. Arsenal confirmed the departure in a statement, saying they had agreed to release the 26-year-old immediately so he could become a free agent.

Nelson made 90 first-team appearances for Arsenal, scoring eight goals and providing nine assists. He won the FA Cup in 2020 and featured in Community Shield victories in 2017 and 2020, having risen through the youth ranks after signing his first professional contract in December 2016.

Loan spells at Hoffenheim, Feyenoord, Fulham and Brentford punctuated his time in north London, but a permanent breakthrough never quite materialised. Arsenal thanked Nelson for his contribution and wished him and his family well, as he now looks for the club that will finally make him a regular starter.

Elliott attracting Italian interest after flat Villa loan

Harvey Elliott is back at Liverpool after a disappointing loan spell at Aston Villa last season, but his stay on Merseyside may be brief.

The midfielder has attracted interest from Serie A, with both Lazio and Napoli said to favour a move for the 23-year-old, according to the Daily Mail. With Liverpool reshaping their attacking and midfield options, Elliott could be one of the players who make way before the window closes next week.

Brighton’s Hürzeler content but alert to late opportunities

Down on the south coast, Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler insists he is content with his squad – but he is not switching his phone off just yet.

“I'm really happy with the squad so far,” he said. “We have a few issues with some injured players. But we're there to find solutions, not complain about anything.

“Regarding the depth of the squad, overall I'm quite happy. The next days, everything can happen but it has to be a good fit regarding personality, character and our style of play.”

Brighton have already shown this summer they will only move for players who match their profile. If the right one appears in the final days, Hürzeler will be ready.

As the deadline closes in, big names, big fees and big calls are all on the table. The next few days will decide whether this window is remembered for clubs holding their nerve – or for one last, wild twist.