Arsenal handed Julian Alvarez transfer deadline as Premier League rules explained

Julian Alvarez has less than four days to complete Arsenal transfer if he is to feature in their next Premier League match

Arsenal have just under eight days to finish their summer transfer business; however, they have even less time to complete any moves for players, such as Julian Alvarez, if Mikel Arteta hopes to have the player(s) available for the trip to Aston Villa.

So far, the club have signed five players this summer. Piero Hincapie’s loan move became permanent and was followed by the arrival of Illan Meslier, Christos Tzolis, Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa.

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However, the deadline could yet be shorter than Tuesday September 1, that is if Arteta wants the deal done to enable the Argentine to play in their next game. According to the Premier League 2026/27 Handbook, the Gunners have less than four days to do it.

The handbook reads: "Subject to the provisions of Rule V.1, the deadline for receipt by the Board of all duly completed documents required by these Rules to effect the registration of a Player shall be 12 noon on the last Working Day before the date of the first League Match in which the Club making the application intends him to play.

"Save that the international transfer certificate and evidence of eligibility to take up employment in the United Kingdom (in both cases if applicable) may be provided thereafter (but must be provided before the Player is eligible to play for a Club in a League Match)."

Because Arsenal face Aston Villa on Monday, August 31, it means they must register Alvarez by midday on Friday, August 28. At this point, there is no clear sign any deal is close.

The size of the deal and the impact on both clubs and potentially other players makes the move very complicated. There has not yet been any indication that Alvarez himself would be more open to a switch to Arsenal at this point, with the player believed to be more keen on a move to Barcelona.