Transfer gossip round-up: Barcelona rule out Alvarez deal - Thursday's gossip

The latest gossip circuit churns through a mix of dead‑ends and tentative pursuits, and by the end of the day every club seems to be deciding what not to do as much as what to chase.

Barcelona have apparently ruled out snapping up Argentina forward Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid in January, according to Fichajes, leaving the 24‑year‑old to watch whether Paris St‑Germain or Arsenal make a bid, or if he simply stays put. Meanwhile, Liverpool are reportedly standing firm on Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz, 23, refusing to countenance a January sale to Bayern Munich, as Christian Falk of Bayern Insider/Bild notes, with the Bavarians only expected to revisit the move next summer should France winger Michael Olise, 24, reject a new deal.

Chelsea’s scouting radar is reportedly narrowed to two midfield names: Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, 23, and Crystal Palace and England youngster Adam Wharton, 22, as reported by CaughtOffside. The West London club is said to have dropped interest in Monaco and Senegal’s Lamine Camara, 22, in favour of those two targets.

Across the Premier League, Aston Villa are allegedly keen to lock down Argentina midfielder Emi Buendia, 29, on a fresh contract as a reward for his outstanding form, according to Mail. In the same vein, England left‑back Luke Shaw, 31, could be on the move when his current deal expires next summer, a scenario outlined by Teamtalk for Manchester United.

Further south, Udinese are set to sign Austria defender David Alaba, 34, who left Real Madrid in the summer, as Fabrizio Romano reports. That move would add a seasoned European campaigner to a side that has long flirted with high‑profile acquisitions.

So while Barcelona and Liverpool are firm on saying ‘no’ for now, Chelsea, Villa, United and Udinese are each circling a handful of names, and the rest of the continent watches to see who might finally turn the silence into a signature.