Barcelona rule out Alvarez move; Liverpool keep Wirtz — Thursday's gossip
On Thursday, 23 September 2026, transfer gossip reported that Barcelona have ruled out signing Argentina forward Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid in the January window, Liverpool will not permit Florian Wirtz to move to Bayern Munich in January, and Chelsea are targeting two young English midfielders.
The items come from a range of outlets: Fichajes reports on Alvarez's situation, Christian Falk (Bayern Insider/Bild) covers Liverpool and Bayern's position on Wirtz, and CaughtOffside names Chelsea's midfield targets; further rumours include Aston Villa's contract interest in Emi Buendia, speculation over Luke Shaw's Manchester United future, and Udinese's approach for David Alaba.
Barcelona have decided against pursuing Julian Alvarez in January, with the 24-year-old described as waiting to see whether Paris St-Germain or Arsenal make an offer or whether he should remain at Atletico Madrid (Fichajes - in Spanish).
Liverpool have told Bayern Munich they will not countenance selling Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz, 23, in the January transfer window; Falk adds that Bayern would only contemplate a move next summer if France winger Michael Olise, 24, turns down a new deal (Christian Falk - Bayern Insider/Bild).
Chelsea's primary midfield targets are reported to be Bournemouth's Alex Scott, 23, and Crystal Palace and England's Adam Wharton, 22, with the club no longer interested in Monaco and Senegal's Lamine Camara, 22 (CaughtOffside, external).
Aston Villa are said to be keen to offer Argentina midfielder Emi Buendia, 29, a new contract as a reward for his recent form (Mail), and England left-back Luke Shaw, 31, could leave Manchester United when his current deal expires next summer (Teamtalk), according to separate reports.
Udinese are reported to be set to sign Austria defender David Alaba, 34, who left Real Madrid in the summer (Fabrizio Romano), completing the set of transfer links outlined in the round-up.
Alvarez's next move is described as contingent on potential bids from Paris St-Germain or Arsenal (Fichajes - in Spanish), and Bayern's interest in Wirtz is framed as conditional on Michael Olise's contract situation ahead of next summer (Christian Falk - Bayern Insider/Bild).
