Transfer Rumours: Alvarez ready to join Arsenal as summer deal 'very close'

Cameron Smith

• 13 Mar 2026 12:04 CDT
• 9 min read

News

FootballTransfers runs through the biggest rumours and gossip from 13 March, including the latest updates on Julian Alvarez and Valentin Barco.

Julian Alvarez ready to join Arsenal

Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez is reportedly ready to return to the Premier League this summer amid significant transfer interest from Arsenal and Chelsea.

Barcelona are considered to be Alvarez’s priority destination, but it has been reported that Atletico Madrid have no intention of selling the 26-year-old to Hansi Flick’s side following their well-publicised pursuit of his signature.

As a result, this could open the door for Arsenal or Chelsea to pounce and TEAMtalk now claim that Alvarez is willing to return to England ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Although Alvarez would prefer to complete a Camp Nou switch, he reportedly wants a transfer to be finalised quickly and there are concerns over Barcelona’s ability to achieve this given their financial issues and Atleti’s desire to offload the Argentina superstar to a foreign club.

With this in mind, his representatives have been in talks with both Arsenal and Chelsea to reveal that Alvarez would be open to moving to London this summer. A deal is far from advanced, but both clubs are understood to be keeping close tabs on his situation.

READ MORE.

Valentin Barco ‘very close’ to joining Chelsea

Strasbourg midfielder Valentin Barco is “very close” to joining Chelsea this summer, according to a bombshell report.

The Argentina star, who was converted from a left-back to a central midfielder by Blues boss Liam Rosenior during his time in Ligue 1, has enjoyed a stellar campaign for Strasbourg and he has been widely tipped to complete a move to sister club Chelsea ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Barco has one goal and nine assists in 34 appearances across all competitions so far this year and reports indicate that his form has attracted interest from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, in addition to several other clubs across Europe. However, Chelsea are also eager to sign the 21-year-old and as Clearlake Capital also own Strasbourg, a deal will not be difficult to finalise.

In fact, renowned journalist Guillem Balague has now revealed that Barco is “very close” to completing a move to Chelsea.

READ MORE.

Man Utd prepare Nico Williams offer

Manchester United are preparing an €80 million offer for Athletic Club superstar Nico Williams ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window, as per a report from Fichajes.

The Spain winger snubbed significant transfer interest from Arsenal and Barcelona in favour of signing a lucrative new contract last year, but rumours of an exit have resurfaced in recent weeks.

Williams’ new deal at Athletic Club isn’t due to expire until 2035, however reports suggest that he could be sold this summer if a suitable bid is submitted by any interested party.

Arsenal and Barcelona have both been tipped to rekindle their interest in the 23-year-old, in addition to Chelsea, although Man Utd have now emerged as strong contenders to sign Williams amid their pursuit of a new left winger.

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Erling Haaland transfer talks

Erling Haaland has been the subject of transfer talks at Barcelona, with presidential candidate Victor Font confirming that discussions have been had with Manchester City over a deal in the long term.

Haaland may have signed a 10-year contract with City in January 2025 but that has not stopped speculation that his future will one day lie away from the Premier League giants, with Real Madrid and Barcelona both linked with the Norway international.

Barca have been crippled with financial problems for several years, but according to Font, who will go head-to-head with Joan Laporta in Sunday’s presidential election at the club, the Catalans have a chance of landing Haaland in the future.

His team have already held a meeting with senior officials from City, The Times confirmed. The Premier League side were certainly treating it seriously, with sporting director Hugo Viana and CEO Ferran Soriano both present to represent them.

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Senny Mayulu expected to leave PSG

Contract negotiations between PSG and Senny Mayulu have reached a "point of no return," which has surely put Arsenal and other potential suitors on alert.

Mayulu is out of contract in 2027, and negotiations with PSG have been tedious and unsuccessful. Reports of a sizeable gulf in expectations emerged last month, with the situation only getting worse since.

PSG are said to be reluctant to agree to Mayulu's wage demands, which has plunged his future at the club into serious doubt.

As a result, Mayulu could be sold this summer and this is a scenario that is becoming more and more realistic, according to Le Parisien journalist Dominique Severac.

READ MORE.

Man Utd in Assan Ouedraogo battle

Man Utd are reportedly ready to rival Chelsea in the race to sign RB Leipzig midfielder Assan Ouedraogo, who could cost as much as €100 million this summer.

Ouedraogo suffered an injury-hit first campaign at Leipzig, but he has rediscovered his best form in 2025-26 and reports in German media have suggested that both Chelsea and Man Utd are “crazy” about signing him this year.

This has now been confirmed by TEAMtalk, who claim that Leipzig could demand a fee of €100m during the upcoming summer transfer window as they look to ward off any suitors.

While Chelsea and Man Utd are considered to be the frontrunners to sign Ouedraogo, they are expected to face significant competition for his signature as Arsenal, Barcelona, Liverpool and Newcastle United have all sent scouts to watch him in action this term.

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Enzo Fernandez decision

Enzo Fernandez is reportedly ready to leave Chelsea during the 2026 summer transfer window amid interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

The Argentina international has been an integral player for the Blues since his arrival from Benfica three years ago, however he has been heavily linked with an exit for over 12 months and he is now open to a departure.

Fernandez still has six years remaining on his current contract at Stamford Bridge, but he is now ready to leave west London, as per a bombshell report from Spanish publication Fichajes.

It’s reported that Chelsea are facing the prospect of losing the 25-year-old, despite the fact his deal isn’t due to expire until 2032. The Blues’ 5-2 defeat to PSG on Wednesday night has reportedly prompted Fernandez to consider his future at the club as the midfielder wants to regularly compete for major honours.

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Ederson update

Manchester United remain firmly in the mix to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson despite claims of an agreement with Atletico Madrid.

The Brazilian will take the next step in his career this summer after being repeatedly linked with Europe's biggest clubs in recent years. In November, his agent Andre Cury confirmed that Ederson is likely to leave Atalanta in 2026.

The player's representative also raised eyebrows when he claimed that he would cost just €30 million to €40m. This is a significant reduction from the Bergamo club's previous asking price of over €60m.

With the season slowly but surely drawing to a close, the midfielder's future is once again coming into focus and according to Tuttomercatoweb, it is true that Ederson will likely leave this summer and that Atalanta are willing to listen to offers as low as €30m.

READ MORE.

Transfer Rumour Round-Up

Liverpool have moved to quash rumours that summer signing Florian Wirtz could be sold to Real Madrid this year. (TEAMtalk)

Barcelona have added Chelsea winger Pedro Neto to their list of transfer targets for 2026. (Mundo Deportivo)

Arsenal and Man Utd both want to sign Francesco Pio Esposito this summer, but Inter Milan have no intention of selling the Italy international. (CaughtOffside)

Chelsea would like to initiate contract extension talks with Levi Colwill after finalising Reece James’ new deal. (Ben Jacobs)

Several top European clubs are interested in signing Real Madrid wonderkid Thiago Pitarch following his performance against Manchester City in midweek. (Fichajes)

AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund have both joined the race to sign AZ Alkmaar striker Troy Parrott. (Football Insider)

Newcastle want to sign Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara as a potential replacement for Sandro Tonali. (The i Paper)

Man Utd’s midfield transfer shortlist includes Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Adam Scott, Carlos Baleba and Tonali. (The Sun)

Inter are willing to sell Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella if they receive suitable bids this summer. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

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