Barcelona sporting director Deco has denied holding talks with Julian Alvarez regarding a summer transfer, dismissing reports linking the Atletico Madrid forward with a move to the Camp Nou or Arsenal.
The former Portugal midfielder insisted it is too early in the season to discuss potential recruitment.
Alvarez, who joined Atletico Madrid from Manchester City in the summer of 2024, has recently been the subject of speculation regarding a swift exit.
Reports had suggested Barcelona were plotting a move for the World Cup winner, alongside interest from Premier League title challengers Arsenal.
However, the Catalan club’s transfer chief has moved to quell rumours of an imminent approach.
“We have not spoken to any club or player,” Deco said when asked about the Argentine forward.
“This is not the time to do it, no matter how much we like them. We’ll talk when it’s time.”
“It’s February. There are many players that we like. We’ll see. We have two strikers. This is not the time to make decisions.”
Atletico stance and valuation
Any potential suitor for the 26-year-old would likely face a significant financial obstacle.
The Argentina international is under contract with the Rojiblancos until the summer of 2030.
It has been suggested that the Madrid club would demand a fee in the region of £167m to part ways with their marquee signing.
Parlour urges Arsenal to act
While Barcelona have distanced themselves from a move, former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour believes his old club should target the versatile attacker.
Parlour views the former Manchester City forward as an ideal upgrade on Gabriel Jesus.
“I think Jesus might leave at the end of the season, he is at that age where he wants to be playing week in, week out,” Parlour told Metro.
“For me, Alvarez would be a great addition to the squad.”
Parlour highlighted the forward’s pedigree under Pep Guardiola as a key asset for Mikel Arteta’s side.
“There will always be people coming and going in the summer because it’s a big squad and they can’t keep everyone happy,” he added.
“But Alvarez would be a fantastic option to have with his pace and what we saw at Man City.”
“He’s a young man too, so if he’s available it’s a yes for me.”
Juventus have identified Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker as a potential summer transfer target as the Italian giants search for a new number one.
The Serie A club are reportedly considering offering the Brazil international a route back to Italy ahead of next season.
Alisson established himself as one of the world’s leading goalkeepers after moving to Merseyside from Roma in 2018.
Serie A interest intensifies
According to reports in Italy, Juventus have turned their attention to the Premier League to solve their goalkeeping requirements.
The 33-year-old is listed alongside Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario as a primary candidate for the Turin-based outfit.
The Reds’ shot-stopper is currently contracted until the summer of 2026.
However, Liverpool hold an option to extend that deal by a further 12 months.
This clause makes a free transfer highly unlikely, ensuring the Premier League leaders remain in a strong negotiating position.
Liverpool’s succession plan
The Anfield club have already taken steps to secure their long-term future between the posts.
Giorgi Mamardashvili was signed from Valencia last summer in a deal worth up to £29m, though he remained in Spain on loan for the current campaign.
The Georgia international is viewed by many as the natural successor to the current number one.
Alisson expects stay
Despite external interest, the Brazilian has previously indicated he expects to remain on Merseyside in the short term.
Speaking last season regarding his future, Alisson suggested the club’s option clause would likely be activated.
“I’ve never been able to plan long term. Obviously now I have one year left on my contract and another year of club option, which they will probably exercise.”
Alisson Becker
He emphasised his focus on maintaining high performance levels ahead of the next World Cup.
“It’s a decisive moment in my career, with a World Cup coming up. I want to be very focused, I don’t want anything external to get in the way of that.”
While a return to Europe is possible, the goalkeeper has also expressed a clear desire to eventually conclude his career with his boyhood club, Internacional.
“I talk to athletes who have made this move to return, some have had good experiences, others not. Each one will have their own experience, but I want to return, especially to Inter.”
Liverpool are preparing to shatter their transfer record with a reported £140m bid for Paris St-Germain midfielder Joao Neves.
Reports suggest the Reds have identified the teenager as the ideal solution to their midfield requirements ahead of the summer window.
Arne Slot’s side are willing to test the French champions’ resolve despite the player’s long-term contract in Paris.
Anfield club eyeing further investment
The Merseyside club invested heavily in the previous window to bolster Slot’s squad options.
Despite significant expenditure on attacking talent, a disappointing season has prompted the hierarchy to consider another major outlay.
Funding such a monumental move may require offloading current first-team stars to balance the books.
It remains to be seen which players could be sacrificed to facilitate a deal of this magnitude.
Defensive reinforcements have already been targeted, with Jeremy Jacquet agreeing to join the club.
However, the focus has now shifted firmly to the middle of the park.
Enrique views teenager as ‘irreplaceable’
Prising the Portugal international away from the Parc des Princes will be a formidable challenge for the Premier League side.
PSG manager Luis Enrique views the midfielder as a key pillar of his project and deems him ‘irreplaceable’.
Neves is understood to be happy in the French capital following his move from Benfica.
Yet, an offer in the region of £140m could force the Ligue 1 giants to reconsider their stance on the playmaker.
Liverpool scouts have reportedly watched the 19-year-old recently during matches against Newcastle and Monaco.
Valuation concerns
There are questions regarding whether the youngster warrants such a staggering transfer fee.
Market analysis suggests a valuation closer to £100m, though PSG’s reluctance to sell drives the price higher.
The French club paid approximately £52m for his services in 2024, representing a massive potential profit.
If Liverpool proceed, it would mark a third record-breaking transfer in the space of 12 months for the club.
Football’s lawmakers are set to discuss a proposal for a strict five-second time limit on throw-ins and goal-kicks which could effectively end the use of long throws as an attacking tactic.
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) will meet in Wales on Saturday for its Annual General Meeting to debate significant changes to the laws of the game.
Proposals designed to crackdown on time-wasting headline the agenda, with the potential introduction of a countdown clock for restarting play drawing particular attention.
If the five-second rule is adopted, it would severely impact teams in the Premier League and EFL who rely on the time-consuming setup required for launching long throws into the penalty area.
VAR powers set for expansion
Beyond restart limits, the governing body is expected to approve an expansion of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocols.
Insiders suggest that allowing VAR intervention for second yellow card offences will be passed without significant opposition.
Under current regulations, officials at Stockley Park cannot review whether a second caution was valid, a limitation that has previously led to controversial dismissals standing despite video evidence of error.
This amendment would allow referees to overturn incorrect decisions, such as the dismissal of Nottingham Forest defender Willy Boly against Bournemouth last season.
Disagreement over corner reviews
A more contentious proposal involves allowing video assistants to adjudicate on whether a corner kick should be awarded.
FIFA is understood to be in favour of this expansion, with head of referees Pierluigi Collina advocating that intervention would be limited only to clear and obvious errors.
However, the home nations – comprising the English, Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish FAs – are reportedly sceptical of the move.
Mark Bullingham, the FA chief executive, has previously expressed concerns that further expanding the remit of video review could lead to excessive match interruptions.
World Cup trials likely
Any permanent changes to the laws of the game ratified at the meeting would officially come into effect on 1 July.
However, the board holds the power to approve trial periods for specific competitions before global implementation.
It is widely anticipated that FIFA will choose to trial approved changes during the upcoming World Cup in North America this summer.
Neymar scored his first goals of 2026 to lead Santos to a 2-1 victory over Vasco da Gama and hit back at critics regarding his World Cup hopes.
The Brazil forward ended his goal drought in spectacular fashion during the fourth round of the Brasileirão on Thursday.
It marked a significant return to form for the 34-year-old, who underwent surgery at the start of the year.
World Cup ambitions
Following the match, the former Barcelona and Paris St-Germain star addressed recent questions over his fitness and national team selection.
“Last week they said I was the worst player in the world. Today I scored two goals, and that’s what matters,” Neymar told Sportv.
“That’s football. One day you’re no good or you’re ‘retired’; the next, people say you have to go to the World Cup.”
The victory over Vasco came in only his third appearance of the year and his second full 90 minutes.
“I’m dedicating myself and working to get in the best possible shape. I felt some cramping at the end, but that’s just part of the process,” he added.
Brazil’s manager has previously stated the country’s all-time leading scorer would be considered for the 2026 World Cup squad if fit.
Mendes rivalry reignited
The match also saw tensions flare between the Santos number 10 and Vasco midfielder Thiago Mendes.
Friction between the pair dates back to 2020, when a challenge from Mendes caused a serious injury during a Ligue 1 match between PSG and Lyon.
“He always wants to cause trouble and act tough. He already broke me once at PSG, and he threatened me again today,” Neymar said.
“It’s always the same with him.”
Tribute to Vinicius Jr
After opening the scoring in the 25th minute, the forward celebrated by imitating a dance recently performed by Real Madrid star Vinícius Jr.
Vasco equalised before the interval, but the Santos talisman struck again in the second half to secure the three points.
It was his first time on the scoresheet since a two-goal display against Juventude in December 2025.
Crystal Palace have reached the last 16 of the Uefa Conference League after easing past Zrinjski Mostar to secure a 3-1 aggregate victory at Selhurst Park.
Goals from Maxence Lacroix and Evann Guessand relieved the mounting pressure on manager Oliver Glasner.
The Eagles secured a 2-0 win on the night to ensure safe passage into Friday’s draw.
Relief for Glasner
This result marks back-to-back wins for the south London club for the first time since December.
It provides a vital morale boost ahead of a daunting trip to Manchester United this weekend.
Speculation regarding Glasner’s future had intensified recently, but this professional display offers a timely reprieve.
How the action unfolded
The hosts laboured during the early exchanges in front of a sparse crowd that reflected recent apathy at the club.
Lacroix broke the deadlock after 36 minutes, heading home from a set-piece to settle nerves.
The Bosnian champions offered little threat, having failed to score in any away European fixture this season.
Ismaila Sarr was denied by goalkeeper Goran Karacic in a one-on-one as the hosts looked to kill the tie earlier in the second half.
Tomi Juric caused a late scare for the Premier League side, but Guessand struck in injury time to confirm the result.
Who could Palace face next?
Glasner’s side will discover their opponents during the draw in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday.
Palace will face a seeded team, with German side Mainz or Cyprus’ AEK Larnaca confirmed as potential adversaries.
Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff has forcefully dismissed reports suggesting Jurgen Klopp will depart his position as head of global soccer, branding the speculation “complete nonsense”.
Klopp commitment questioned and clarified
Rumours had recently circulated regarding the former Liverpool manager’s long-term future within the multi-club organisation.
However, Mintzlaff addressed the situation directly, telling Sky Sports Germany that claims of an imminent exit are “totally unfounded”.
Klopp took up the strategic role overseeing Red Bull’s network of clubs following his departure from Anfield.
Chelsea lead race for Murillo
Nottingham Forest could face a significant battle to retain their highly-rated defensive asset.
Chelsea are currently in pole position to sign 23-year-old defender Murillo, according to reports from Teamtalk.
Liverpool also remain firmly in the frame for the Brazilian centre-back, who has impressed with his performances at the City Ground.
Vlahovic favours Barcelona switch
Dusan Vlahovic is eyeing a move to La Liga when his contract with Juventus expires this summer.
The Serbia international reportedly prefers a switch to Barcelona over other potential suitors.
This preference comes despite continued interest from Premier League sides Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in the 26-year-old forward.
Valuation stalls Mane interest
Liverpool and Manchester United have cooled their interest in Wolves midfielder Mateus Mane due to a high asking price.
Football Insider reports that both clubs are unwilling to meet the £50m valuation placed on the 18-year-old.
Scouts from both north-west giants reportedly consider the England youth international too raw to justify such a significant financial outlay.
Newcastle hunt for Pope successor
Newcastle United have begun the search for a long-term replacement for 33-year-old goalkeeper Nick Pope.
The Magpies are tracking Brighton’s Dutch shot-stopper Bart Verbruggen as a primary option.
James Trafford, currently on the books at Manchester City, is also being monitored by the Tyneside club.
Jackson set for Chelsea return
Nicolas Jackson is expected to return to Stamford Bridge following a loan spell in the Bundesliga.
The 24-year-old Senegal striker joined Bayern Munich temporarily last summer.
However, the German champions are reportedly not keen on converting the move into a permanent transfer.
USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino has refused to rule out a return to Tottenham Hotspur after his contract expires following the 2026 World Cup.
The former Spurs boss is currently preparing to lead the United States on home soil at the tournament this summer.
However, the 53-year-old has admitted he remains "open to everything" regarding his managerial future beyond the international campaign.
Speculation over north London return
Tottenham are currently searching for a permanent successor to Thomas Frank, who was sacked earlier this month.
Pochettino acknowledged that his history with the club often leads to speculation when the team is underperforming.
Speaking to The Athletic, he said:
"I’m always linked to Tottenham, just like at one time I was linked to Espanyol, or to other clubs."
"In the end, especially because of my past at those clubs, when things aren’t going well, people tend to fall back on emotions and say, ‘Well, with Mauricio we played good football,’ or whatever it may be."
Despite the rumours, the Argentine tactician insisted his immediate focus remains on the national team job.
"But no. We’re focused on the World Cup, on the United States. My contract runs until after the World Cup, so after that we’ll see what might happen. Open to everything, right?"
Stability needed at Spurs
The Premier League side have appointed Igor Tudor on an interim basis until the end of the season.
His immediate priority is steering the club away from a relegation battle after a run of just two wins in 17 league games.
The Lilywhites sit just four points above the bottom three following a recent defeat by rivals Arsenal in the north London derby.
Since Pochettino was dismissed in 2019, shortly after reaching the Champions League final, the club has struggled to find a long-term replacement.
Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo, Antonio Conte, Ange Postecoglou and Frank have all held the permanent position in the intervening years.