Transfer rumors, news: Man City eye move for Atleti’s Baena
Transfer rumors, news: Man City eye move for Atleti's Baena. Skip to main content Skip to navigation Transfer rumors, news: Man City eye move for Atleti's Baena7hESPNPutellas to Bayern; Paralluelo to Arsenal: Women's transfers we wish we'd seen2dYash ThakurMLS Power Rankings: Griezmann catapults Orlando into the playoff picture2dJoe LoweryNWSL Power Rankings: Washington leaps to top spot as Gotham, San Diego slip up2dArianna CasconeArsenal show Chelsea, Premier League who's boss; Inter the team to beat in Serie A2dGabriele MarcottiArsenal too familiar, Man United underwhelming: Lessons from WSL's opening weekend19hEmily KeoghChelsea are on the rise, but Arsenal remain kings of Premier League2dMark Ogden and James OlleyAnother game, more dropped points: Are Man United still a work in progress?
What happened
Transfers home page | Men's summer grades | Women's gradesTrending rumors- Manchester City are looking at Atlético Madrid midfielder Álex Baena, Football Insider reports. Manchester City are looking to sign World Cup-winning midfielder Álex Baena from Atlético Madrid. Transfer Talk has the latest. Other rumors- Inter Milan were willing to part ways with defender Alessandro Bastoni for €70 million in the summer. (Diario AS)- Liverpool have been offered the chance to sign free agent right back Dani Carvajal. (TEAMtalk)- Arsenal and Manchester City are keeping close tabs on Paris Saint-Germain defender Willian Pacho. (Caught Offside)- Chelsea explored an approach for Fulham midfielder Sander Berge after their move for Monaco's Lamine Camara broke down. (BBC Sport)- Brentford have opened contract talks with winger Kevin Schade amid interest from Arsenal. (TEAMtalk)- Chelsea considered a move for free agent midfielder Renato Sanches. (Foot Mercato)- Palmeiras striker Vitor Roque is attracting interest from Manchester United and Chelsea. (Ekrem Konur)- Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa will explore an exit from the club in January if he does not play more matches. (Football Insider)- Free agent winger Jadon Sancho has received an approach from two clubs in the Premier League.
3dAndy DaviesplayAre Arsenal building a Premier League dynasty? (1:03)ESPNMultiple AuthorsSep 8, 2026, 05:51 PM ETEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsManchester City are looking at signing yet another midfielder, while Real Madrid are eyeing up Declan Rice, but Arsenal are making moves to keep him. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe. 3dAndy DaviesThe summer transfer window saw plenty of moves, but they weren't all perfect. Alexia Putellas to Bayern MunichActual move: Joined London City Lionesses, Free Ideal move: Bayern MunichPutellas is arguably the most recognizable name in women's football after a decade as the face of the sport's most successful club side, Barcelona.
The wider picture
The former Man City star moved back to the WSL this summer after enjoying four successful years at Bayern Munich and played a crucial role in their four league title wins. Kadidiatou Diani to Manchester CityActual move: Joined London City Lionesses, £500,000 Ideal move: Man CityDiani joined the gorwing list of superstars in London City's squad this summer, having earned a reputation for her direct style down the right flank after three years at OL Lyonnes.
But London City are not WSL contenders just yet, which is why a move to City might have made more sense. Mapi León to ArsenalActual move: Joined London City Lionesses, Free Ideal move: ArsenalThe Spain defender formed one part of a dominant Barcelona defensive spine, shutting out some of Europe's best attacking units in recent years, but opted to move on after nine years at the club. It is said that the Citizens are admirers of the 25-year-old, who is being considered for a future transfer as an option to reinforce the left flank, though any deal is unlikely to be pursued in January unless reinforcements are needed.
Baena started seven games for Spain at the World Cup, and he is also on the radar of Newcastle United and Aston Villa. – Real Madrid are interested in Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, TEAMtalk reports. Transfer journalist Nicolo Schira reports that the Gunners are already preparing contract talks with Rice amid plans to offer him a deal that will secure his future at the club until the summer of 2031. An impressive start to the Saudi Pro League campaign has seen Toney score six goals in five matches. – Manchester United aren't considering a move for free agent defender David Alaba despite reports, according to Manchester Evening News.
What has been reported
The Premier League side are said to have ruled out an approach for the 34-year-old, with plans to focus their transfer strategy on acquiring young players with significant potential. Getty ImagesYash ThakurMultiple AuthorsSep 7, 2026, 03:00 AM ETEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFIFA has confirmed that there were more international transfers (1,406) and for more money ($28. Among all those moves, there were some that made more sense than others and where a player goes is down to a wide range of factors, both in and out their control.
Here are seven transfers from this summer that would have made more sense than where they actually ended up. The 32-year-old midfielder called time on her stay at Camp Nou this summer, eventually making a blockbuster switch to WSL side London City. It was the most talked about move of the window, but there was another fit that would have made more sense. London City's billionaire owner Michele Kang has grand plans, but it is Bayern who are closest to breaking into the highest echelon of European football.
Ona Batlle to Real MadridActual move: Joined Arsenal, Free Ideal move: Real MadridFormer Manchester United defender Batlle made her return to England after three successful years at Barcelona, during which she won multiple collective accolades and established herself as one of the best full backs in the sport.
What happens next
However, it would have been a little controversial as there haven't been any direct moves from Barcelona to Real Madrid in the women's game so far. Salma Paralluelo to ArsenalActual move: Joined OL Lyonnes, Free Ideal move: ArsenalParalluelo's move garnered a lot of attention as she joined forces with Kang's OL Lyonnes just a couple of months after sinking them with a brace in the UWCL final. However, there is an argument to be made that a move to Arsenal would have made just as much sense.
Caitlin Foord offers a relentlessness attitude off the ball and the tenacity necessary for Sleger's high press, but she lacked an end product last season — two goal contributions last season in the WSL — and struggled to produce game changing moments in the final third. Georgia Stanway to OL LyonnesActual move: Joined Arsenal, Free Ideal move: OL LyonnesStanway has established herself as one of the best midfielders in women's soccer in recent years. Sam Kerr to WolfsburgActual move: Joined Gotham FC, Free Ideal move: WolfsburgKerr is still one of the best goal scorers in women's soccer and is a rare type of striker who can score in seemingly any situation and against any opponent.
Her career record across three continents speaks volumes about her ability, and the former Chicago Red Stars forward moved back to the NWSL after leaving Chelsea as their all-time joint top scorer (116 goals, with Fran Kirby. )Had Kerr decided to remain in Europe, Wolfsburg would have been the best fit as they lost two of their primary goal scorers last season: Germany legend Alexandra Popp (Dortmund) and Lineth Beerensteyn (Real Madrid).
The report has been compiled by The Daily Waves using information reported across espn.com. Details are presented according to the information available at the time of publication and may change as authorities, organisers or other relevant parties provide updates.