Alvarez open to Arsenal move as Liverpool close in on Minteh after Barcola pursuit stalls

Julian Alvarez was greeted with loud jeers by Atletico Madrid supporters when he came off the bench against Villarreal on Sunday, as the Argentine’s push to leave the club gathered momentum with Arsenal emerging as his likely destination.

The 26-year-old had initially favoured a move to Barcelona, but Alvarez is now said to be open to a switch to the Emirates. He has become Arsenal’s primary transfer target after the club’s approach for Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz was firmly rejected by the Italian club.

Liverpool are also active in the market, with their need for a new winger underlined by a 2-2 draw at home to Newcastle on Sunday. The club’s pursuit of PSG’s Bradley Barcola has so far proved difficult — the Frenchman was left out of PSG’s squad for their match against Rennes — and attention has shifted significantly toward Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh. Two bids for the winger have been turned down, but Minteh has reportedly agreed personal terms with Liverpool, making that deal the one closest to completion. Real Madrid forward Endrick is also said to be of interest to the club.

Manchester City have agreed a €100m deal with Lille to sign teenage midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, a significant piece of business for Pep Guardiola’s side.

At Manchester United, Carlos Baleba is understood to be undergoing a medical ahead of a potential move to Old Trafford.

Aston Villa presented their own subplot on the weekend, with both Ollie Watkins and goalkeeper Emi Martinez absent from the club’s matchday squad against an unnamed opponent, fuelling speculation that both players could be on the verge of departures.

Meanwhile, Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez were included in the squad to face Bournemouth despite reported interest from Tottenham and Newcastle respectively, suggesting those moves are not yet close.