Arsenal Transfer News Today: Alvarez alternative identified, new twist on €45m deal

13 Aug 2026 20:45 BST | 6 min read

Arsenal Transfer News Today - Julian Alvarez — © IMAGO

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All the latest Arsenal transfer news in one place, including updates on Gabriel Martinelli, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Kauan Elias.

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Alvarez Alternative

Julian Alvarez was and still is Arsenal's number one transfer target for this summer, but it appears he has his heart set on a move to Barcelona, and that's if Atletico Madrid allow him to leave which seems unlikely at this point.

The Gunners have been drawing up a list of alternatives for the centre-forward position and they've apparently made their interest known in Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane.

"Yes, Arsenal’s interest is genuine," the player's agent Eric Depolo told the Daily Arsenal website, as quoted by The Independent.

Current ETV

Christian Kofane

F (C)

Bayer 04

Christian Kofane

F (C)

Bayer 04

ETV Range

€23.8M - €29.1M

"The manager likes him very much.

"I think it is too early to say (Kofane’s next destination), but due to the fact that the player speaks Spanish, like Mikel Arteta, and that William Saliba is originally from Cameroon, I would say Arsenal are in pole position."

It is believed Kofane could cost up to €99m.

Martinelli departure unlikely

Arsenal will not sell Gabriel Martinelli before the transfer deadline unless they are able to sign a suitable replacement, FootballTransfers has been told.

The Brazilian's future at Arsenal has been the subject of speculation for some time, with the forward increasingly linked with a summer departure from Mikel Arteta’s squad. Galatasaray have reportedly emerged as a potential destination, with claims that the Turkish club are negotiating with Arsenal over a €45m deal for the 25-year-old.

Despite those reports, FootballTransfers understands that there is nothing concrete at this stage to indicate Martinelli is close to joining Galatasaray. Arsenal would only consider allowing the winger to leave if they first secure the signing of a replacement on the left flank.

Meanwhile, Football London reports that the player himself is not keen on the move.

Arteta discusses Lewis-Skelly speculation

It appears Myles Lewis-Skelly is coming into a key few weeks in his career as speculation mounts that he could leave Arsenal this summer. Earlier this week, it was reported that he had been offered to both Manchester United and Chelsea via an intermediary.

The player's actions spoke louder than words on Wednesday when he scored in Arsenal's friendly draw against Como. He made a heart gesture and passionately slammed his hand onto the Arsenal badge on his kit, seemingly displaying his loyalty.

Afterwards, Arteta was asked about the speculation surrounding his player, and replied:

“It's good to be emotional after scoring, you should be emotional when you score a goal.

“He's a very emotional player, you see with his gestures on the pitch. I'm not going to talk about speculation - if there is speculation about our players, it's a good sign - that means our players attract attention and are doing a good job.”

Konsa talks ongoing

Arteta is keen on some defensive cover following William Saliba's back injury, which led to constant rumours linking Arsenal with a move for Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa.

Talks are apparently ongoing between the clubs, but Arsenal's latest offer of €46m has proved insufficient, according to the Daily Mail.

© IMAGO - Ezri Konsa is wanted by Arsenal

Villa are, of course, under no financial pressure to sell following their €136m windfall from the sale of Morgan Rogers to Chelsea.

They reportedly want closer to €60m for the England defender, who would provide cover at right-back as well as centre-back.

Jesus turns down Turkey

Gabriel Jesus has allegedly turned down two offers from teams in the Turkish SuperLig.

The Brazilian forward is third in the centre-forward pecking order at the Emirates now, behind Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz.

Arsenal are willing to sell for as low as €15m and Napoli have been strongly linked as they look for a replacement for Romelu Lukaku, who has joined Fenerbahce.

Nicolo Schira reports that two other European club have expressed an interest in addition to the Italian side.

Arsenal must wait for Kauan Elias

Arsenal and Man Utd sent scouts to watch Brazilian wonderkid striker Kauan Elias last week as he bagged a hat-trick in Shakhtar's first game of the season.

He's been linked with a move away from the Ukrainian giants, but European football expert Andy Brassell believes he needs to cut his teeth in the Champions League first.

Current ETV

Kauã Elias

F (C)

Shakhtar

Kauã Elias

F (C)

Shakhtar

ETV Range

€14.2M - €17.4M

"It's so hard to judge the level effectively of Ukrainian domestic football now through no fault of Ukraine's own or through no fault Shakhtar's obviously but that they are really living in extraordinary times and very difficult conditions and Shakhtar in a league with a lot of teams that would not be anywhere near the Premier League, if we were comparing it, which I'm always bit loathe to do," he told talkSPORT.

"But the reality is Ukraine is not one of the top leagues at the moment, so I think you need to see them a little bit more in European competition.

"That's certainly the case with Kaua Elias.

"His movements terrific. I really like what I've seen of him, but again, I want to see him in the Champions League first."

Liverpool youngster to make Arsenal switch

The Gunners have reportedly reached an agreement to sign 16-year-old striker Vincent Joseph from Liverpool, reports The Athletic.

The transfer isn't finalised yet, as the two clubs are still understood to be working on the details of the transfer fee, meaning the official registration and announcement are still pending.

Joseph is an England U16 international and had been part of Liverpool’s academy.