Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool in Barcola breakthrough, Alvarez to Arsenal saga takes fresh twist, Chelsea latest

Sheffield Wednesday have signed Ipswich striker Ali Al-Hamadi on a season-long loan.

The summer transfer window closes on 1 September as clubs across Europe aim to wrap up their summer business ahead of the 2026/27 season.

There have been several notable moves throughout Europe over the summer, with Barcelona’s capture of Rodri and the transfers of Morgan Rogers, Elliot Anderson and Bruno Guimaraes making headlines.

But while some teams will feel their business is done this summer, most clubs – especially some in the Premier League – know they need more arrivals if they’re to compete this season.

Manchester City, Newcastle and Aston Villa will need to replace some of their outgoing stars, while Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and even champions Arsenal are all hoping to make late additions in the coming days – and big-spenders Tottenham might not be done just yet.

Liverpool remain intent on Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola, despite the fact the Qatari-owned project want well in excess of £110m for the French international. It was that price which put Arsenal off.

Such a deal could be offset by the sale of Cody Gakpo, in one of many situations in this market that almost resembles a housing-market chain. Manchester City remain interested, while Tottenham have also been linked.

Sunderland have submitted a bid to sign Marseille’s Brazilian winger Igor Paixao, according to Sky Sports.

Marseille need to raise funds and Sunderland’s priority is to sign a winger, having also targeted Sporting’s Geny Catamo.

They are also exploring a move for Manchester City’s Jack Grealish, who has entered the final 12 months of his contract but could be available for a loan.

Manchester City have signed 18-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi with attention now turning to Enzo Fernandez before next Tuesday’s deadline.

The Morocco international joins City to bolster Enzo Maresca’s midfield, having already signed Elliot Anderson for £116m from Nottingham Forest this summer.

The Cityzens could dip back into the market to sign a third centre-midfielder, with strong ties between Maresca and Enzo Fernandez, with the Italian’s former club Chelsea previously setting a deadline and holding out for upwards of £120m.

Bouaddi, who City have signed in a record Premier League price for a teenager, excelled in the World Cup for Morocco and City see him as a talent with the ability to get better still.

Bouaddi, who was the youngest player in Lille’s history, will be charged with replacing Rodri and Bernardo Silva, who have joined Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively.

City will lose four midfielders this summer, with Tijjani Reijnders moving to Al Qadsiah for £51m and Newcastle agreeing a £52m fee for Nico Gonzalez.

• Liverpool have held more positive talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a move for Bradley Barcola, according to The Times.
• Liverpool are also considering Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr as their search for a new winger continues
• Al Hilal have reached a £50m deal with Aston Villa to sign Ollie Watkins, according to Sky Sports.
• Aston Villa are set to sign Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea after agreeing a total package of £65m for the striker
• Chelsea have been offered the chance to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez by his representatives
• Newcastle have announced the signing of midfielder Nico Gonzalez from Manchester City in a £52m deal
• Manchester City have signed Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for £85m in a record Premier League price for a teenager.
• City could now turn their attention to signing Enzo Fernandez, though the Chelsea player is available to play Luton on Thursday
• Atletico Madrid have insisted there is “zero per cent chance” they sell Arsenal target Julian Alvarez to Barcelona this summer

Al Hilal have reached a £50m deal with Aston Villa to sign Ollie Watkins, according to Sky Sports. Watkins wanted to join Al Hilal, who are reportedly offering the England striker £12m a year, and Villa have already lined up his replacement after agreeing to sign Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea in a deal that could reach £65m if add-ons are met.

A considerable boost to his bank balance would come with a dent to his reputation, wrote Richard Jolly a few days ago.

“For the nice guy, one of football’s feel-good stories, it surely wasn’t supposed to end like this. When Watkins was playing for Exeter at 21, the riches now offered in Saudi Arabia would have seemed unimaginable. But so, too, would have scoring the winner for England in the semi-final of a major tournament or winning a European trophy. This will be his last big contract – and presumably, much his biggest – but it again invites the question of how much money footballers need.”

Liverpool have held more positive talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a move for Bradley Barcola, according to The Times.

Crucially, The Times report that PSG are prepared to lower their asking price for the France international to £115m after previously demanding £145m.

It would still make Barcola, Liverpool’s top target all summer, their second-most expensive signing in history.

Barcola is committed to joining Liverpool and has been left out of PSG’s squad for their last three matches.

PSG have signed three attackers this summer in Spain’s World Cup winner Ferran Torres from Barcelona, Belgian winger Mika Godts from Ajax and France international Maghnes Akliouche from Marseille.

With PSG also retaining the services of Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue, opportunities for Barcola were limited.

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola admitted he is short of wingers ahead of the new Premier League season and there have also been approaches for Brighton’s Yankubu Minteh and Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr.

Nottingham Forest are on the verge of signing Liam Delap from Chelsea for £50m, a much-needed attacking arrival for Oliver Glasner whose team are yet to score a goal this season.

However, the Austrian is unsure whether he will be available to make his debut against Liverpool this weekend.

“I can’t talk about a player who is under contract at another team, so we didn’t announce any signings. So that’s why there’s no comment tonight,” he said after last night’s Carabao Cup exit to Leeds.

“Maybe we have a signing, but I don’t know if they can be involved in Saturday’s game [at Liverpool].”

Nicolas Raskin has not travelled with Rangers for their Conference League play-off tie against Jablonec due to a potential move away from the club.

The 25-year-old Belgium international, who signed from Standard Liege in 2023, has been subject to speculation about his future all summer.

Raskin missed the first leg at Ibrox last week where Rangers won 1-0 and, despite training with his team-mates on Wednesday, he is out of the return fixture in the Czech Republic on Thursday night.

“Nico hasn’t travelled,” said boss Derek McInnes, who confirmed defender Ben Godfrey has been added to the squad after recovering from the injury sustained on his debut against Dundee United.

“Nothing to do with injury or anything like that, just the potential of a transfer, potentially.

“I just think we’re so late in the window, maybe it’s something the club’s looking at. He’s trained this morning but has been left back in Glasgow.”