Manchester City push to sign Enzo Fernandez as Arsenal target Julian Alvarez

Manchester City are making a late attempt to sign Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, while Arsenal are exploring a major deal for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez before the transfer window closes.

Premier League clubs will be unable to bring in new players until January once Tuesday’s 22:00 GMT deadline passes, leaving City, Arsenal and their rivals with a final opportunity to strengthen their squads.

City are hoping to reach an agreement for Fernandez, although Chelsea value the Argentina international at about £120m and the two clubs have yet to settle on a fee.

Fernandez could be reunited with Enzo Maresca, who previously managed Chelsea and is now in charge at City. The midfielder frustrated Chelsea last season after showing an interest in moving to Real Madrid.

Maresca is keen to add Fernandez to his midfield following the recent sale of World Cup winner Rodri to Barcelona. City have also lost Bernardo Silva, Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has omitted Fernandez from his squad for the past two matches as speculation has grown over a possible move to the Etihad Stadium.

City are also expected to confirm the signing of Senegal midfielder Iliman Ndiaye from Everton in a deal worth £65m. Tottenham had been interested in the 26-year-old but City now appear to have won the race for his signature.

Arsenal could make an equally significant statement by signing Alvarez, although the Argentina striker is reported to favour a move to Barcelona.

Atletico do not want to sell Alvarez to their La Liga rivals, but they could be persuaded to accept a £128m offer from Arsenal. The striker has missed several training sessions and was not included in Atletico’s team for their victory over Sevilla last weekend.

Signing the former City player would underline Arsenal’s ambition as they seek to win consecutive English titles for the first time since the 1930s.

Arsenal forward Ethan Nwaneri is also set to spend the season on loan at Borussia Dortmund.

Liverpool, Aston Villa and Tottenham make late moves

Liverpool spent £123m on France forward Bradley Barcola on Monday, persuading Paris Saint-Germain to sell the player. Reds manager Andoni Iraola nevertheless wants another winger as the club adapts to life without Mohamed Salah, who joined Trabzonspor in August after ending his celebrated Liverpool career.

Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr and Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh are among Liverpool’s targets. A deal for either player could allow Dutch forward Cody Gakpo to leave Anfield, with Manchester City and Tottenham interested in him.

Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott is expected to depart on loan for Valencia after an underwhelming spell at Aston Villa last season.

Villa have signed Senegal winger Ibrahim Mbaye from Paris Saint-Germain for a reported £47m. Mbaye made 31 appearances in all competitions last season as PSG won both the Champions League and Ligue 1.

The 18-year-old also played four times for Senegal at the recent World Cup. He scored against France to become the youngest African player to find the net in the men’s tournament.

A few hours after completing Mbaye’s signing, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery strengthened his defence by bringing in Southampton centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis for £29m.

Tottenham are pursuing a loan deal for Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk after missing out on Ndiaye. They are also preparing a £7m bid for Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo.

Chelsea have signed 18-year-old Italy defender Honest Ahanor from Atalanta for about £40m.

Manchester City winger Jack Grealish is set to return to Everton on loan after spending last season with David Moyes’s side. Grealish has fallen out of favour at City during the past two years but impressed at Everton before suffering a foot injury in January which ended his campaign.

Everton are close to signing United States forward Folarin Balogun from Monaco in a £40m deal.

Newcastle United striker Nicolas Woltemade is set to join Juventus on loan.