The final weeks of the summer transfer window are producing two very different stories for Premier League clubs.
Manchester United have reached an agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion for Carlos Baleba, moving the 22-year-old midfielder to the final stages of his transfer to Old Trafford. Meanwhile, Arsenal remain interested in Atlético Madrid forward Julián Álvarez, but the Argentine’s preference for Barcelona and Atlético’s changing stance have left the deal far less certain.
The contrast is clear: United are completing a transfer, while Arsenal are still trying to unlock one.
With the Premier League window closing at 11pm BST on September 1, there is still time for more twists.
Manchester United Move to Complete £70m Baleba Transfer
Manchester United have agreed a deal worth £70 million for Carlos Baleba, according to Sky Sports and Reuters.
The package includes £65m guaranteed plus £5m in potential add-ons, while Brighton have also secured a sell-on clause. Baleba is expected to undergo his medical before the transfer can be formally completed.
The agreement represents the culmination of United’s long-standing interest in the Cameroon international. Sky Sports reported that United had been monitoring Baleba since last year and had already made an approach during the January transfer window.
Baleba is expected to sign a five-year contract, with reports also indicating that United have an option to extend the agreement by another year.
Until the medical and final paperwork are completed, however, the transfer should be described as agreed rather than officially completed.
Baleba Becomes United’s Third Midfield Signing
The move also underlines the scale of Manchester United’s midfield rebuild under manager Michael Carrick.
Baleba follows Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos as United’s third midfield addition of the summer. Tielemans arrived from Aston Villa for around £35m, while Santos joined from Chelsea in a deal reported at approximately £48m-£50m.
The recruitment suggests a clear attempt to add more athleticism, ball-winning ability and depth to the centre of the pitch.
Baleba, in particular, has been viewed as a player capable of operating in a deeper midfield role. His physicality and ability to cover ground could give United another option in the No. 6 position while also increasing competition within the squad.
The move comes after a period in which United have sought to reshape a midfield that has struggled to provide consistent control and defensive protection.
Why United Were Willing to Pay £70m
Baleba’s price represents a significant investment, especially considering Brighton previously placed a much higher valuation on the midfielder.
The Guardian reported earlier in the week that Brighton had previously valued Baleba at around £100m, while United were initially looking to complete the transfer for considerably less.
United’s eventual agreement at £65m guaranteed, potentially rising to £70m, therefore represents a compromise between the clubs.
Baleba also arrives with considerable Premier League experience for a player who is still only 22. Reuters reports that he has made 112 appearances for Brighton, while last season he played in 31 league matches and also represented Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations.
There is one immediate concern: Baleba recently suffered an ankle ligament injury during pre-season. Reports indicate that the injury is not expected to keep him out for an extended period, but his medical will be particularly important before the move is finalized.
Arsenal’s Álvarez Pursuit Is a Completely Different Story
While United have moved into the final stages of their Baleba transfer, Arsenal’s pursuit of Julián Álvarez remains unresolved.
The Argentine forward has been at the centre of a transfer saga for much of the summer after making clear that he wants to leave Atlético Madrid.
Álvarez said during the World Cup that he wanted to depart Atlético in order to “fulfil his dream.” His preferred destination has reportedly been Barcelona.
That preference has complicated Arsenal’s attempts to sign him.
Arsenal remain interested in the 26-year-old, and the clubs have maintained communication. However, the player’s preference and Atlético’s position have not aligned cleanly with the Premier League club’s ambitions.
Why Barcelona Remains Central to the Álvarez Saga
Álvarez’s preference for Barcelona is one of the defining factors in the transfer story.
Barcelona have been interested in the forward throughout the summer, particularly after Robert Lewandowski’s departure. Sky Sports reported in July that Barcelona had a bid of more than £100m on the table and could potentially increase it further.
However, Atlético have been unwilling to strengthen their La Liga rivals.
That has created an unusual situation: the club may prefer an offer from Arsenal, while the player reportedly prefers Barcelona.
Atlético’s public position has also been extremely firm at various points. In August, CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín reportedly insisted the club would not sell Álvarez even for €200m.
At the same time, more recent reports have suggested Atlético could now be prepared to consider selling to Arsenal. Sky Sports reported on August 21 that newspapers were claiming the Madrid club had shifted its position and was willing to sell Álvarez to the Gunners.
That means the situation should be viewed as fluid rather than settled.
Álvarez’s Absence Added More Fuel to the Speculation
The transfer uncertainty intensified when Álvarez was left out of Atlético’s squad for their opening La Liga match against Málaga.
Manager Diego Simeone initially explained the decision in terms of the player’s fitness and preparation following the World Cup. Reuters reported that Simeone wanted Álvarez to return once he was fully prepared.
Atlético subsequently defeated Málaga 2-0, with Lee Kang-in and Álex Baena scoring, but Álvarez’s absence inevitably drew attention because of the ongoing transfer speculation.
Simeone has continued to stress that Atlético support the player and want him fully focused, rather than confirming that a transfer is imminent.
The omission therefore should not be treated as proof that Álvarez is leaving. It is another piece of evidence in a complicated situation.
Arsenal Have a Strong Sporting Case for Álvarez
From Arsenal’s perspective, the attraction is obvious.
Álvarez has already demonstrated that he can operate as both a centre-forward and a deeper attacking player. His movement, finishing and ability to combine with teammates would give Mikel Arteta another elite attacking option.
He also has extensive experience at the highest level, having previously played for Manchester City before joining Atlético in 2024.
Since arriving in Madrid, he has established himself as one of Atlético’s most important attacking players. Reuters reports that he has scored 49 goals in 106 appearances for the club.
For Arsenal, signing a player of that profile would represent a major statement as they pursue domestic and European success.
Indeed, former Manchester United defender Gary Neville recently argued that Álvarez could provide Arsenal with the additional quality needed to compete for the Champions League.
Still, Arsenal cannot control the most important variable: what Álvarez himself wants to do.
The Two Transfers Are at Completely Different Stages
That is what makes these two stories particularly interesting as the deadline approaches.
Baleba’s transfer is essentially at the finishing line. Manchester United and Brighton have agreed the financial terms, personal terms are in place and the player is expected to undergo his medical before completing the move.
Álvarez’s situation is nowhere near as straightforward.
Arsenal have an interest. Atlético have considered their options. Barcelona remain part of the story. Álvarez has made his preference known. But there is no completed agreement between Arsenal and Atlético, and the player’s decision remains crucial.
That makes the two deals a useful snapshot of how different transfer negotiations can look in the final weeks of a window.
Manchester United Have a Clearer Path Than Arsenal
For United, the next steps are procedural: medical, contracts, registration and official confirmation.
For Arsenal, the challenge is much more fundamental. They need Atlético to agree to a sale, they need Álvarez to accept the move and they must do it before the window closes.
The Premier League transfer window will remain open until 11pm BST on Tuesday, September 1, giving Arsenal more than a week from the current point in the window to try to force a breakthrough.
That is enough time for a transfer to change dramatically but it is also not much time when negotiations involve three parties with different priorities.
What Happens Next?
Baleba’s immediate future is straightforward: assuming he passes his medical, Manchester United can finalize the deal and add him to Carrick’s revamped midfield.
The Álvarez saga is harder to predict.
If Atlético genuinely decide that an Arsenal offer is acceptable, the next question will be whether Álvarez is willing to abandon his preference for Barcelona and return to England.
If he refuses, Arsenal may have to look elsewhere.
For now, Manchester United have the certainty Arsenal are still searching for. Baleba is undergoing the final stages of a transfer that has already been agreed, while Álvarez remains caught between his own ambitions, Atlético’s demands and Arsenal’s interest.
With deadline day approaching, one deal looks like a matter of paperwork. The other could become one of the summer’s biggest transfer dramas.
