Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool get Barcola boost, Alvarez to Arsenal latest, Enzo saga takes twist

Man City are poised to make a late move for Enzo Fernandez and are prepared to make him the most expensive signing of the summer, according to The Telegraph.

Chelsea want upwards of £120m for Fernandez.

Bournemouth have so far shut down any interest, but there’s a belief a bid in excess of £80m, and probably closer to £90m, might bring reconsideration.

Liverpool have also held interest in Scott, with multiple sources saying that the Englishman is the top midfield target of former Cherries boss Andoni Iraola, now in the Anfield dugout.

However, they are not believed to have budget to add in midfield during this transfer window with other areas prioritised. They may instead wait until next year, which could prove risky given Chelsea’s interest.

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.

Liverpool have a customary management meeting at the start of September, just after the transfer window closes, and the tone of it is currently subject to one main aim.

The football hierarchy, led by Richard Hughes, know the squad just has to be bigger. It’s an absolute priority, with a week of the window remaining, and there’s a pressure.
Within that, though, there’s also a problem.

There are multiple areas to focus on, without that much money to spend. This is a strangely thin and lopsided squad. As one source says, “it’s like they’re in a boat with six different leaks but which one do you plug?” If they spend the available budget in one or two areas, they’re short in another.

Miguel Delaney delves into the details of Liverpool’s transfer puzzle:

Savinho has completed his £85m move from Tottenham to Manchester City as Spurs have taken their spending this summer past £300m.

The Brazilian becomes City’s record sale – replacing Julian Alvarez, who moved to Atletico Madrid for £82m two years ago – and one of the three most expensive players in Tottenham’s history, along with his new teammates Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.

Spurs will pay an initial £75m, with a further £5m of add-ons guaranteed and the potential for £5m more on top of that.

Nottingham Forest have agreed a club record deal of £50m to sign Chelsea striker Liam Delap.

The former Ipswich man has been displaced in the No 9 shirt at Stamford Bridge by Joao Pedro and the Chelsea hierarchy were open to letting him leave after a disappointing first campaign at the club.

Chelsea will make £20m profit on a striker they signed for £30m, and who scored just two goals in 41 appearances.

The 23-year-old is expected to complete a medical on Wednesday.

Newcastle have agreed a £52m deal with Manchester City for Nico Gonzalez and the midfielder is set to become their biggest summer signing.

The 2025 Carabao Cup winners will pay an initial £48m for the Spaniard with a potential £4m in add-ons.

It could give City a small profit after signing Gonzalez from Porto in January 2025 for £49m.

Gonzalez, while only 24, will become the oldest player Newcastle have signed this summer after they decided they need to add more experience following the departures of captain Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali from the midfield.

He is undergoing a medical today.

The London club would prefer an outright sale, as they attempt to offload a number of squad players ahead of transfer deadline day in eight days’ time.

Aston Villa also considering Jackson, with a £65m deal being discussed.

Any move could have a knock-on effect on multiple other transfers.

Chelsea themselves are understood to be open to a versatile attacker should they complete enough outgoings, with Marcus Rashford an option that has been broached.

Atletico securing Jackson could meanwhile smooth Julian Alvarez‘s departure – potentially to Barcelona or even Arsenal – in what is already a protracted saga.

Manchester City have agreed a €100m deal with Lille to buy midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.

The 18-year-old is set to become City’s second big-money midfield signing of the summer, and the third most expensive player in their history, as they continue their busy first summer under Enzo Maresca.

Bouaddi will arrive as City step up their midfield overhaul after the departures of captain Bernardo Silva, Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders.

City will pay an initial €95m deal with a potential €5m in add-ons, for the Morocco international.

He is set to join the £116m Elliot Anderson as part of City’s midfield revamp. Only Anderson and Jack Grealish have ever cost City more than his fee.

The England striker Ollie Watkins seems dead set on leaving Villa in the lurch to join Al Hilal – which, Richard Jolly writes, is a great shame for a club and player who were very good for one another: