The summer transfer window is entering its final stretch, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham all still active. Arsenal are said to have made an offer for Julian Alvarez after Atletico Madrid named their price, though work remains to complete a deal. The Gunners are set to confirm Gabriel Martinelli's exit while still interested in Kenan Yildiz and Matias Fernandez-Pardo. Igor Tyjon and Habeeb Ogunneye will be announced as Arsenal players after medicals, with James Scanlon to follow.
Manchester United confirm Baleba
Manchester United have announced the signing of Carlos Baleba from Brighton in a deal said to be worth £65m up front, with £5m in add-ons. He has signed a five-year contract with an option to extend for a further 12 months. United have confirmed Baleba will wear the No20 shirt, inherited from Diogo Dalot, who took the No2 shirt after the 2024/25 campaign. Baleba said he is attracted to the prospect of learning from Michael Carrick, and he underwent a medical on Saturday as his new team-mates were beaten 2-0 away at Hull City.
United will now turn their attention to a left-back amid links to Lewis Hall and Alejandro Balde. Reports suggest United and Tottenham have also been offered Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Arsenal near Martinelli exit
Arsenal and Al Hilal are on the verge of agreeing a transfer for Gabriel Martinelli. The 25-year-old was left out of Mikel Arteta's matchday squad for the Community Shield win over Manchester City and last week's Premier League opener against Coventry. Martinelli had initially been keen to stay and turned down a move to Turkey amid interest from Galatasaray, but honest discussions with Arteta over his position have left the Brazilian more open to leaving. Standard Sport understands the two clubs are close to agreeing terms, with an initial fee of £50m plus add-ons to change hands. Martinelli has been offered a contract involving a huge increase on his current £180,000-a-week salary.
AC Milan remain interested in Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri, despite seeing an opening offer knocked back. Milan proposed a loan with an option to buy, but the Gunners rejected the approach. Milan are still monitoring the 19-year-old but aren't willing to meet the £38.5m valuation for a permanent transfer.
Liverpool, Chelsea and City updates
Liverpool are in talks for Bradley Barcola as they plot a third bid for Yankuba Minteh. Tottenham have agreed a deal for Omar Marmoush to follow Savio from Manchester City amid reports over interest in Neco Williams and Rafael Leao.
Aston Villa have opened talks with Chelsea over Nicolas Jackson, lodging a bid worth £65m for the Senegalese striker as they look to put contingency plans in place for the departure of Ollie Watkins, who seems set to join Al Hilal. Jackson is thought to be keen on the move for a reunion with Unai Emery, whom he worked with at Villarreal.
Manchester City will send a bid of at least £130m for Enzo Fernandez by Wednesday, per reports in Argentina. Chelsea are not thought to be willing to sell the player at this stage and are planning under the assumption he will be involved. Al Hilal are expected to open talks with Crystal Palace for Ismaila Sarr in the coming hours, per Foot Mercato.
Aston Villa have approached Bayer Leverkusen to discuss Christian Kofane, per The Athletic, but Leverkusen are not interested in selling. Joshua Zirkzee is of interest to Juventus, per the Daily Mail, with the wantaway Man United player expected to leave this season, most likely on loan with an obligation to buy. Ipswich Town are closing in on a deal to sign Exequiel Palacios from Bayer Leverkusen, with their most recent bid worth €27.5m (£23.5m), including add-ons.
