Manchester Giants Move: United, Arsenal, and Liverpool's Frantic Window

Manchester City are closing in on their next Brazilian project. Talks with Palmeiras for Allan have accelerated, with Fabrizio Romano reporting significant progress between the clubs on Saturday night. Enzo Maresca’s side are expected to pay around €40m (£34m) for the highly rated midfielder, another sizeable investment in a squad already stacked with technical talent.

While City push to get Allan over the line, their neighbours have been busy reshaping their own midfield plan.

United walk away from Lewis-Skelly – and go all in on Baleba

The reason Manchester United stepped back from a move for versatile Arsenal talent Lewis-Skelly has now come into focus.

Both United and Chelsea showed interest in the Gunners youngster, who can operate in midfield as well as other roles. Arsenal were open to a sale, but only at their price. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, the fee quoted was simply “too high” for United, who chose not to push on and instead turned back to a long-standing target: Carlos Baleba.

That decision has quickly taken shape.

United are poised to sign Baleba after agreeing a deal with Brighton. Romano reports that all documents have been signed and exchanged between the clubs after a £65m plus £5m agreement, including a sell-on clause, was reached.

The move has been a year in the making. United have tracked the 22‑year‑old midfielder for over 12 months and finally have the structure they wanted, though it took some negotiating. An initial offer of £60m plus £5m in add-ons was rejected before the clubs settled on £65m plus £5m, with Brighton also securing that future percentage.

As United pushed the fee higher for Baleba, Arsenal made a very different kind of play in the forward market.

Arsenal’s audacious Alvarez push – and a huge pay packet

Alvarez has been clear: he does not want to return to England. The Argentine forward left Manchester City for Barcelona in 2024 and has made no secret of his stance.

Arsenal are refusing to be discouraged.

Spanish outlet SPORT reports that Atletico Madrid, who now have Alvarez, actually prefer the striker to join Arsenal rather than head to a La Liga rival. The Gunners are said to be prepared to offer Viktor Gyokeres plus €80m (£68m) in a blockbuster package to land the Argentina international.

The numbers do not stop there. The report adds that Arsenal are willing to put an annual salary of €25m (£21m) on the table, a figure that would make Alvarez one of the club’s highest earners and, reportedly, would double his current wages.

It is a last-ditch attempt to tempt him back to the Premier League, against his own stated preference. If Arsenal manage to turn that stance around, it would be one of the most eye‑catching deals of the window.

Their business this week has not been limited to fantasy‑level proposals, though.

Konsa arrives to bolster Arsenal’s back line

In case it slipped under the radar amid the noise, Ezri Konsa is now an Arsenal player.

The defender completed a £55m move from Aston Villa this week, adding proven Premier League quality to Mikel Arteta’s back line. Sporting Director Andrea Berta hailed the signing, describing Konsa as a defender of “high quality” whose athleticism, composure and tactical intelligence have made him one of the league’s most consistent performers.

Berta also highlighted Konsa’s ability to play both centrally and at right-back, underlining the versatility Arsenal have clearly targeted. He spoke of the defender’s leadership, international experience and character, insisting he will “adapt seamlessly” and make an “immediate impact”.

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.

While Arsenal retool at the back and chase a marquee forward, Liverpool are working on the flanks.

Liverpool test Brighton’s resolve over Minteh

Liverpool have seen their opening bid for Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh rejected.

The Athletic reports that the Merseyside club’s £50m offer was turned down, but Brighton’s stance suggests the proposal is not far from a figure they would be prepared to accept. The feeling around the deal is that it is only a matter of time before an agreement is found.

For Liverpool, it would mean securing a natural option on the right wing, a profile they have been expected to target as they refresh an attack that has carried them for years.

City closing on Allan. United betting big on Baleba. Arsenal throwing huge money and a striker into the mix for Alvarez while bedding in Konsa. Liverpool edging towards Minteh.

The window is not drifting to a close; it is tightening, hard. Who blinks first in this arms race for the Premier League’s next wave of game‑changers?