Barcelona rule out Alvarez deal - Thursday's gossip

Barcelona rule out Alvarez signing from Atletico Madrid, Liverpool will not allow Wirtz departure, and Chelsea target English midfield duo.

Barcelona have ruled out signing Argentina forward Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid in January, with the 24-year-old waiting to see whether Paris St-Germain or Arsenal make a bid for him, or whether he should stay put. (Fichajes – in Spanish)

Liverpool will not countenance selling Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz, 23, to Bayern Munich in the January transfer window, while the German giants would only consider making a move next summer if France winger Michael Olise, 24, turns down a new deal. (Bild)

Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, 23, and Crystal Palace and England’s Adam Wharton, 22, are Chelsea’s primary midfield targets, with the West London club no longer interested in Monaco and Senegal’s Lamine Camara, 22. (CaughtOffside)

Aston Villa are keen to tie Argentina midfielder Emi Buendia, 29, to a new contract as a reward for his outstanding form (Mail)

England left-back Luke Shaw, 31, could leave Manchester United when his present deal expires with the club next summer. (Teamtalk)

Udinese are set to sign Austria defender David Alaba, 34, who left Real Madrid in the summer. (Fabrizio Romano)