Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool get Barcola boost, Arsenal learn Alvarez deadline, Man City back in for Fernandez

Ollie Watkins could earn an annual salary of £12m if Al-Hilal get a move for the Aston Villa striker over the line in the final week of the transfer window, according to The Telegraph.

Al-Hilal have had four bids rejected for the 30-year-old this summer and must go higher than the £45m offer rebuffed by Villa last week.

Man 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.

Manchester City have completed the £85.6m signing of Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.

The 18-year-old Morocco international, who was a breakout star of this summer’s World Cup, has signed a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium.

More on Julian Alvarez now.

According to Marca, the wantaway Argentinian was absent from Atletico Madrid training today amid interest from Arsenal and Barcelona.

Alvarez received a bitterly hostile reception when he made his Atletico return on the weekend, subjected to deafening jeers from the home crowd after his attempts to force a move out.

However, Atletico insist his absence from the training group was due to illness.

Brighton will hold firm to their valuation of the Gambian winger, The Independent understands.

The bid is thought to be below what the Eagles would find attractive for the 29-year-old, who has thrown his future into serious doubt by launching an appeal that the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park should be made invalid.

Villa have also made an approach for Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane and been linked with AC Milan winger Rafael Leao, with Ollie Watkins’ future unclear amid interest from the Saudi Pro League.

Ipswich Town are finally close to an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen for Exequiel Palacios after having multiple bids rejected, according to The Athletic.

The newly-promoted Premier League side have made an improved offer of €22.5m plus €5m for the midfielder to join on a proposed four-year deal.

The Argentinian was part of the squad that won the World Cup in 2022.

Atletico Madrid are pushing for the Julian Alvarez saga to be resolved by Friday, essentially giving the 26-year-old a choice to make on his future.

If Alvarez does agitate for a move to Arsenal, and the English champions meet an acceptable price, Atletico at least want the time to prepare for replacements.

The Argentine has made clear his ultimate ambition is to go to Barcelona but Arsenal have continued to work on the deal, in the knowledge that Atletico absolutely do not want to do business with their LaLiga rivals. That stance was reiterated in meetings this week intended to resolve the situation.

A potential advantage that Arsenal have is that they can send forwards the other way. Atletico manager Diego Simeone has already been pushing to strengthen his attack, and both Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus are appealing to the Madrid side.

There is the possibility that Gyokeres – or both – and a financial fee could be offered, greatly smoothing any deal.

Savinho – sorry, Savio – has already come through the door at Tottenham for big bucks. Now it’s Man City team-mate Omar Marmoush’s turn.

The Egyptian is set to undergo a medical with Spurs after the two sides agreed a loan deal for the forward that includes an obligation to buy worth an initial £50m.

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.