Alvarez open to Arsenal transfer, plus Sunday transfer gossip

Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez is open to joining Arsenal, according to a transfer gossip round-up published by BBC Sport on 22 August 2026; the same column reported several other ongoing transfer developments across Europe.

Standard reported that Alvarez, 26, has grown increasingly dissatisfied with his situation at Atletico Madrid and had previously favoured a move to Barcelona; AS added that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta have kept in frequent contact with the Argentine this summer, and that Alvarez now regards the Gunners as an emergency option while still preferring Barcelona.

Fabrizio Romano wrote that Tottenham are confident of completing a deal to sign 27-year-old Egypt forward Omar Marmoush from Manchester City by the start of next week. Separately, GiveMeSport reported that England striker Ollie Watkins has informed Aston Villa he wants to leave the club amid interest from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

Metro via Jijantes reported that Spain left-back Alejandro Balde, 22, has decided to leave Barcelona and that Manchester United have made contact over a possible move; Mundo Deportivo offered an alternative account, saying Balde is determined to fight for his place at the Spanish champions.

Football Insider stated that Real Madrid will not allow Liverpool to sign Brazil forward Endrick, 20, and noted the club have already sold Spanish forward Gonzalo Garcia, 22, to Fulham earlier in the transfer window.

Talksport reported that Chelsea rejected a loan bid from Roma for England Under-21 forward Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, 22. Sacha Tavolieri via Teamtalk added that Tottenham have made midfielder Pape Matar Sarr, 23, available for transfer and that the Senegal international is set to join Galatasaray, while Fabrizio Romano said Besiktas have submitted a bid to Newcastle for 27-year-old Joe Willock.

Standard via RMC reported Liverpool received a boost in their interest in Paris St-Germain forwards Bradley Barcola, 23, and Ibrahim Mbaye, 18, after both were left out of the squad for PSG's Ligue 1 game against Rennes; the Liverpool Echo reported the club have not yet decided whether to send England Under-21s forward Jayden Danns, 20, out on loan following his return to fitness.

Tottenham expect to conclude the Marmoush move by the start of next week, while Liverpool have not yet reached a decision on a loan for Jayden Danns following his return to fitness, according to the reports cited.