Arsenal Transfer News Today: Julian Alvarez bomb drops as €100m message sent

22 Aug 2026 20:01 BST | 4 min read

Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

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All the latest Arsenal transfer news in one place, including updates on Julian Alvarez, Kenan Yildiz and Gabriel Martinelli.

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Alvarez agent explodes

Julian Alvarez's agent Fernando Hidalgo has made a scathing social media post after being criticised by Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil.

The transfer saga surrounding the Argentina international shows no signs of stopping. He remains Barcelona's top target, while Arsenal recently met with Atleti director Matheus Alemany to discuss a deal - but Alvarez isn't keen on a move to London.

The relationship between Alvarez and Atleti is at risk of being broken beyond repair. Gil claimed earlier this week that the striker had been poorly advised, which prompted Hidalgo to post a graphic with the caption: "Never ask a liar why he lied. To explain it to you, he would have to lie again."

Yildiz door closed

Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti has emphatically ruled out the possibility that Kenan Yildiz could leave before the deadline.

The Turkey international is a long-standing target for Arsenal, and links with a potential €100 million transfer have intensified recently after the Gunners missed out on Vinicius Jr. However, Juventus have made it clear that they do not wish to sell.

"I'm taking it calmly," Spalletti said when asked about Yildiz on Saturday. "From my point of view, it's easy: they can offer whatever they want, I want him on the pitch next season.

"He's the perfect guy to have mature conversations with. He knows he doesn't have to rush anything. His future is already important at Juventus, he doesn't have to join a club that can spend so much on him. We're all very relaxed, I think he is too."

Martinelli treatment slammed

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has harshly criticised Mikel Arteta's treatment of Gabriel Martinelli.

The Gunners are willing to sell the Brazil international if a suitable offer arrives. However, he recently turned down a €45m move to Galatasaray, and there hasn't been much progress regarding an exit since.

Despite this, Arteta omitted him from Arsenal's first two competitive games of the season, a decision that has left Wright "really uncomfortable" and "sad." He feels that Martinelli deserves better after seven years at the club.

"For him to be nowhere near [the squad], it makes me feel sad for him," Wright stated. "I’m just saying I think he’s done enough with this team, with this squad, to be treated with a little bit more respect than he’s being treated at the moment."

Balogun windfall

Aston Villa and Barcelona have entered the race to sign AS Monaco striker Folarin Balogun, as per L'Equipe.

The former Arsenal academy prospect is expected to be on the move this summer after finishing last season in red-hot form and impressing at the World Cup. Balogun was recently strongly linked with Tottenham.

Now, Aston Villa and Barcelona have also begun exploring a potential move from which Arsenal would benefit substantially, courtesy of a 17.5% sell-on clause. Monaco reportedly value Balogun at around €60m.