Manchester City Pursues Allan as United Signs Baleba
Manchester City are closing in on their next Brazilian project. Talks with Palmeiras for Allan accelerated on Saturday night, with Fabrizio Romano reporting “progress” between the clubs as City edge towards an agreement.
Enzo Maresca’s side are expected to pay around €40m (£34m) for the midfielder, another significant outlay as City reshape their squad under the new head coach. The deal is not done yet, but the numbers are on the table and the direction of travel is clear.
United walk away from Lewis-Skelly – and land Baleba
Across town, Manchester United have already decided where their money is going – and where it isn’t.
Interest in Arsenal’s versatile youngster Lewis-Skelly was real, shared by Chelsea, and Arsenal made it known a move was possible. The problem was the price. According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, United felt the valuation was simply “too high” and stepped away, turning back to a long-standing target: Carlos Baleba.
That pivot has paid off. United are poised to sign the 22-year-old midfielder after agreeing a deal with Brighton. Romano reports that all documents between the clubs have now been signed and exchanged after United pushed their bid up to £65m plus £5m in add-ons, having seen an initial £60m plus £5m proposal rejected. A sell‑on clause is also included.
It ends a chase that has lasted more than a year and gives United a powerful, athletic option in the middle of the pitch. As for Lewis-Skelly, Mikel Arteta has since drawn a firm line, insisting he is “100 per cent” sure the youngster will stay at Arsenal.
Arsenal’s bold Alvarez play – and a huge contract on the table
Arsenal, though, are not exactly sitting still. They are pushing hard for Alvarez, despite the Argentine making it clear he does not want to return to England after leaving Manchester City for Barcelona in 2024.
His stance has not scared them off. SPORT in Spain reports that Atletico prefer Alvarez to join Arsenal rather than a La Liga rival, with the Gunners prepared to offer Viktor Gyokeres plus €80m (£68m) for the striker.
The financial commitment does not stop there. The same report claims Arsenal are ready to hand Alvarez an annual salary of €25m (£21m), a figure that would make him one of the highest earners at the club and, reportedly, double his current wages. It is a last‑ditch, heavyweight attempt to drag a reluctant player back to the Premier League.
Whether his resistance holds under that kind of offer is another matter.
Konsa arrives – and waits for his debut
One big deal is already done at the Emirates. Ezri Konsa completed a £55m move from Aston Villa this week, a signing Arsenal believe will harden their defensive core and broaden their options.
Sporting Director Andrea Berta hailed Konsa as “a defender of high quality, whose athleticism, composure and tactical intelligence have established him as one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers.” Berta also underlined the England international’s versatility, stressing his comfort in both central defence and at right-back, and his leadership and mentality as key traits for a side chasing major trophies.
Konsa missed Arsenal’s opening game against Coventry City but is expected to be in contention to face his former club on Monday, August 31. He will wear the number 15 shirt, and his first touch in red and white may well come against the team that helped make his name.
Liverpool test Brighton’s resolve over Minteh
Brighton, meanwhile, remain at the centre of the market. Having agreed to sell Baleba to United, they are now fending off Liverpool.
Liverpool have seen their opening bid for winger Yankuba Minteh rejected. The Athletic reports that Brighton turned down an offer of around £50m, but the stance from the south coast suggests that figure is not far from something they would eventually accept.
The sense around the deal is that it is a matter of when, not if. Liverpool look increasingly likely to land a natural right‑flank option, a move that would reshape their forward line and add fresh pace to an area that has long revolved around one man.
From Allan to Baleba, Alvarez to Minteh, the window is moving fast. The only real question now is which of these gambles will define the season.
