Julian Alvarez considers Arsenal if Barcelona move fails

Julian Alvarez has set his heart on Barcelona – but Arsenal are firmly on his mind if that move dies on the table this summer.

The Atletico Madrid forward has, according to reports in Spain, already spoken with Mikel Arteta and Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta. Those conversations have helped shift his stance: if Atletico block a sale to Barcelona, Alvarez is now prepared to commit to the Premier League champions.

Arsenal are hunting a headline attacking signing and have made Alvarez a key part of that search. Their options have narrowed. Juventus have shut down any prospect of Kenan Yildiz leaving, slamming the door on a player the Gunners had earmarked as a major addition to their front line.

Liverpool hit brick walls in winger chase

While Arsenal juggle their targets, Liverpool are running into their own resistance.

The club sounded out Real Madrid over Endrick, testing whether the Brazilian starlet might be prised away or even borrowed on loan. Madrid’s response was blunt: Endrick is not for sale and not available.

Liverpool have already pushed hard elsewhere. Two bids for Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh, the latest worth £60m, have been rejected. Brighton are standing firm, and Liverpool are yet to find a breakthrough.

Attention has also turned to Bradley Barcola, but that pursuit looks even more complicated. Paris Saint-Germain value the winger at around £145m, a figure that plants a huge obstacle in front of any serious move.

Manchester United close on Baleba but left-back issue grows

At Old Trafford, Manchester United are closing in on midfield reinforcements while another problem position looms larger by the week.

United have an agreement in place to sign Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba for £70m, a major outlay designed to give Michael Carrick more power and presence in the middle of the pitch.

Yet the need for a new left back has sharpened after a dismal start to the league campaign. Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at newly promoted Hull exposed frailties down that flank and underlined why the club see that role as a priority.

Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde has been discussed and there has been contact between the clubs. The 22-year-old Spain international, though, has made his stance clear: he does not want to leave this summer.

So United push on with Baleba, Arsenal wait on Alvarez’s Barcelona saga, and Liverpool keep swinging for a winger. The window is open, the prices are soaring, and the clock is already starting to squeeze the biggest clubs in Europe.