Premier League Transfer Updates: Full-backs and Forwards
Manchester United’s midfield rebuild is nearly done. The next fire to put out is at left back. Talks have already taken place with the camp of Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde, with United sounding out what a deal might look like, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Balde is not the only name on the table. Ben Jacobs reports that RB Leipzig’s David Raum and Racing’s Jorge Salinas have both been offered to United, giving the club a very different stylistic menu at full-back.
The one they really want? Lewis Hall. But Newcastle United have told United he is simply not for sale. Journalist Sam C reports that the Magpies have opened talks over an improved contract to keep the young defender at St James’ Park, shutting the door on their Premier League rivals.
At Liverpool, the search is all about firepower. ESPN say the club sounded out a move for Real Madrid striker Endrick, only for the Brazilian to rule out leaving the Bernabéu this summer. That hasn’t cooled Liverpool’s desire to find genuine competition for Alexander Isak.
Names have been thrown around. Porto’s William Gomes, Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade and Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta have all been discussed internally, according to indykaila. Different profiles, same aim: lighten the load on Isak and sharpen the edge of the attack.
Mateta’s name keeps popping up. Football Insider report that Tottenham Hotspur are also targeting the Palace forward as they look to thicken their striking options before the window closes.
Spurs are busy elsewhere too. The i Paper claim Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush is expected to follow teammate Savinho to north London in a deal worth around $75 million (£55 million), another sign of Tottenham’s intent to build a deeper, more versatile front line.
City, for their part, are already plotting their next midfield evolution. Spanish outlet El Nacional say the champions are preparing a move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong once he returns from injury, with a January approach under consideration.
Across London, Chelsea’s striker puzzle refuses to settle. MARCA report that Atlético Madrid director Mateu Alemany has travelled to the capital for talks over a loan move for Nicolas Jackson. Chelsea, though, have other ideas. The Telegraph say the Blues would rather cash in and are expecting a permanent bid of around $89 million (£65 million) from Aston Villa.
That interest is tied directly to Villa’s own storm up front. The Athletic report that Ollie Watkins is pushing for a move to Al Hilal after the Saudi club failed with a fourth bid worth $61 million (£45 million). Villa are braced for more pressure from the player, and Jackson has emerged as a potential solution if Watkins gets his wish.
At the back, a late-window scramble is brewing. TEAMtalk report that Manchester United, Newcastle and Tottenham are all circling Bayer Leverkusen centre back Edmond Tapsoba, lining up a possible end-of-summer swoop for one of the Bundesliga’s most coveted defenders.
Liverpool’s midfield could also be reshaped again. CaughtOffside claim the club are chasing Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton as they prepare to sell Curtis Jones to Inter. The price, though, is eye-watering: a deal for Wharton could cost as much as $136 million (£100 million).
On the continent, AC Milan are hunting a new defensive leader. Gazzetta dello Sport report that Manchester City’s Rúben Dias is under consideration and, crucially, available for transfer. If Milan push, that would be one of the most striking centre-back moves of the window.
La Liga: Power plays in Madrid and Barcelona
In Spain, the intrigue is no quieter. At Real Madrid, Rodrygo’s future is suddenly under the microscope. Fichajes report that the club will consider selling the winger once he returns from injury if he fails to convince José Mourinho, with only two years left on his contract and a major decision looming.
Atlético Madrid are wrestling with their own attacking saga. Mundo Deportivo say the club have softened their stance on Julián Alvarez after previously rejecting his transfer request. They are now willing to negotiate his sale, but only to Arsenal. Alvarez has turned that option down and is pushing hard for a move to Barcelona instead, setting up a tense stand-off over his preferred destination.
Barcelona, aware they might not land Alvarez, have moved on a parallel track. El Chiringuito report that the Catalan club have agreed personal terms with Inter striker Lautaro Martínez as a potential alternative, a deal that would reshape their forward line.
The push is coming from high places. According to El Nacional, Lionel Messi has urged fellow Argentina international Martínez to join Barcelona if he wants to win the Champions League, adding another emotional pull to an already loaded decision.
Back in Madrid, there is the prospect of a financial boost from an unexpected source. AS report that Nottingham Forest are pursuing Celta Vigo defender Javi Rueda, and thanks to a 50% sell-on clause, Real Madrid could bank as much as $17.5 million (€15 million) if the move goes through.
For Europe’s heavyweights, these are not just rumours. They are fault lines. One big decision from a Balde, a De Jong or a Lautaro could tilt the balance of a season.
