Atletico Madrid have given Julian Alvarez until Sunday to decide his future as Arsenal prepare a potential £128m bid before the transfer window closes.
The Spanish club told the former Manchester City striker that he must either accept a move to Arsenal or remain in Madrid. Alvarez missed training for a third consecutive day on Friday, citing illness, after Atletico informed the Argentina international that they would not sell him to Barcelona.
Alvarez later trained alone as he pushes for a departure from the club. Atletico Madrid chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin addressed the situation publicly, ruling out any move to their LaLiga rivals. "I have been in the football world for more than 30 years," Gil Marin told Spanish media. "My word is one of the few things I have. As long as I am CEO, Julian Alvarez will NOT be transferred to FC Barcelona. That is absolutely certain."
Arsenal are willing to pay up to £128m for the 26-year-old World Cup winner if he opts to move to North London now. With Atletico refusing to negotiate with Barcelona, Arsenal are viewed as Alvarez's sole destination if he leaves the Metropolitano Stadium this summer.
Nicolas Jackson joins Aston Villa as Ollie Watkins departs
Aston Villa have officially announced the signing of striker Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea for £65m on the same day manager Unai Emery revealed Ollie Watkins is heading to Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal in a £50m deal. Jackson arrives at Villa Park having taken his formative professional steps under Emery at Spanish side Villarreal.
The arrival of Jackson coincides with the emotional departure of Watkins, who drew criticism from Villa supporters after missing last weekend's 4-0 defeat at Brighton despite being the squad's only fit centre-forward. Emery initially offered little defense for the 30-year-old England international, but confirmed on Friday that Watkins had apologized for his mistake.
Emery admitted the impending departure reduced him to tears as he paid tribute to the striker. "I told him goodbye with a huge hug and a few tears," Emery said. "After the Brighton game he was sorry and told us he made a mistake, that he was wrong. We accepted it and so did the players. He is a fantastic guy, even more than he is a player. Now it is a new chapter here with Nicolas Jackson and we wish Ollie all the best in Saudi Arabia."
Emery defended Watkins' overall record at Villa Park, pointing to his consistent goalscoring through injuries before hailing the financial return on the transfer. "Ollie had fantastic years here always scoring and playing even when he was injured," Emery added. "Last week I was a little disappointed but we spoke about it. One mistake does not cancel all the good things he did here for the supporters. It is crazy that for a 30-year-old we can have £50m."
Villa also revealed the deal on social media, posting a picture of Jackson with the message: "Reunited. This time in claret & blue. Aston Villa is delighted to announce the signing of Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea." Meanwhile, Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez is on the brink of sealing a move to Chelsea in what would mark the fourth transfer completed between the two clubs in less than six weeks.
Manchester City and Tottenham target Cody Gakpo and Iliman Ndiaye
Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are locked in a battle for Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo as both Premier League clubs seek to strengthen their attacks before the September 1 deadline. Liverpool have maintained that they must have two more forward players in place before contemplating selling the Netherlands international, and any deal would require a substantial fee.
Neither City nor Spurs have submitted an official approach to Liverpool for Gakpo. With Liverpool reluctant to sell, Tottenham are evaluating alternative options to bolster their new-look attack, including Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye.
City are also pursuing parallel negotiations for Ndiaye, who has three years remaining on his Everton contract and is valued at around £80m. Tottenham view Ndiaye as a secondary option if City win the race for primary target Gakpo.
In addition to their pursuit of wingers, Manchester City are pushing to complete a deal for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez. City are expected to pay over £120m for the Argentine midfielder. Although reports linked City with Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister as a backup option, no contact has been made between the clubs.
Chelsea weigh up Lamine Camara as Atletico monitor Joshua Zirkzee
Chelsea are preparing for Fernandez's potential departure by assessing a move for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara. The West London side are considering bringing in two new midfielders should Fernandez complete his move to Manchester City.
Chelsea held talks with Monaco on Thursday regarding Camara, who previously attracted a £40m offer from Crystal Palace alongside inquiries from several other clubs. Monaco are simultaneously pursuing Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr on loan, though they face competition from Nottingham Forest for the Senegal international.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid are monitoring Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee as contingent cover if Arsenal sign Alvarez. Zirkzee has received a contract proposal from Italian side Fiorentina, while Juventus, Napoli, and several Premier League clubs are weighing up late offers for the 24-year-old forward.
James Ward-Prowse rejoins Southampton as Premier League sides complete moves
Southampton have confirmed the return of midfielder James Ward-Prowse from West Ham United for a fee understood to be £800,000. Ward-Prowse has signed a two-year contract at St Mary's Stadium, rejoining the club where he previously made 410 senior appearances.
Ward-Prowse originally left Southampton for West Ham in a £30m deal in 2023 and subsequently spent time on loan at Nottingham Forest. However, he fell out of favor under West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo. "It feels a bit surreal," Ward-Prowse said. "The last couple of days have been pretty intense, but I am delighted to be back, and to be wearing the red and white again is truly special."
In EFL transfer activity, West Bromwich Albion have agreed a £3m deal to sign Manchester United midfielder Toby Collyer. The total package for the 22-year-old is potentially worth up to £7.6m, and United have retained a 40 per cent sell-on clause. Additionally, League One side Bolton Wanderers have completed the signing of 24-year-old goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu from Southampton on a three-year contract. "It is a club with massive history," Bazunu said. "I see it as a place where I can come and progress my personal career, while helping the team with their ambitions of getting back to where they belong."
Omari Hutchinson, Harvey Elliott and James Overy outline late moves
Nottingham Forest are willing to listen to offers for winger Omari Hutchinson, with AC Milan exploring a potential loan deal. Hutchinson became Forest's record signing a year ago following a £40m transfer from Ipswich Town, but head coach Oliver Glasner does not view the 22-year-old as a regular starter. Milan are unlikely to make a permanent offer, with a loan including an obligation to buy viewed as the most probable structure.
Liverpool winger Harvey Elliott has attracted interest from Spanish club Valencia, coached by former West Brom boss Carlos Corberan. The 23-year-old England Under-21 international is also being monitored by Italian clubs Lazio and Napoli following a difficult loan spell at Aston Villa last season, where an obligation to buy for £35m applied after 10 games. Liverpool have not received an official approach but are aware of interest as clubs explore another loan.
Finally, Manchester United academy player James Overy is flying to Australia to finalize a permanent transfer to A-League side Sydney FC. The 18-year-old joined United's youth setup in 2024 and featured across their Under-18 and Under-21 teams without breaking through to the first team. Overy will sign a three-year contract with Sydney FC on no transfer fee once he completes a medical on Monday.
