the Daily Briefing: Ben Jacobs

EXCL: Man Utd not giving up on £60m star, Arsenal & Liverpool winger deal can't be ruled out, plus Cole Palmer set for first Euro 2024 minutes

Ben Jacobs — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 15:21:06 GMT

Manchester United still want Jarrad Branthwaite but have other options on their radar as well

Manchester United haven’t given up on Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite after seeing a £43m offer rejected.

Everton don't want to sell Branthwaite, and will be in a stronger position to rebuff offers should Dominic Calvert-Lewin depart in the coming days or weeks.

Everton value Branthwaite at in excess of £70m, and point to Manchester United's £80m purchase of Harry Maguire from Leicester as a fair yardstick for valuation.

EXCL: Arsenal eye THREE alternatives to Sesko, Chelsea delighted to beat rivals to signing, latest on Rashford's Man Utd future, & more

Ben Jacobs — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 16:29:46 GMT

Arsenal eye three possible alternatives to Benjamin Sesko

Arsenal are searching for another striker after Benjamin Sesko decided to stay at Leipzig. A renewal, on new lucrative terms, was always a concrete possibility. Arsenal's pitch was strong, but Sesko felt staying an extra was better for his development. There is a gentleman's agreement he can still be sold in summer 2025.

Arsenal have plenty of other options on their list, including Evan Ferguson and Viktor Gyokeres. They are also keeping a very close eye on the Joshua Zirkzee situation. Milan are pushing to complete a deal, but if it falls through I expect Arsenal to be in the conversation for the Bologna striker.

Alongside looking for a new striker, Arsenal still see midfield as a priority. The kind of midfielder they’re looking for will be defined by whether they see Declan Rice as a predominant no.6 or no.8 - though that’s not to say that Mikel Arteta will be so rigid as to force him to play in only one role, but the profile they’ll look for will have to complement Rice.

EXCL: Maresca on brink of Chelsea job, De Bruyne Saudi transfer latest, Man Utd decision soon, & duo to leave Liverpool for Barca?

Ben Jacobs — Tue, 28 May 2024 09:51:31 GMT

Maresca on brink of becoming Chelsea manager as several players disappointed by Pochettino exit

Enzo Maresca is on the brink of becoming Chelsea’s new head coach. He is expected to sign a minimum five-year guaranteed contract. Compensation is being finalised with Leicester in the region of £8-10m.

Maresca wants to bring the majority of his staff with him, including his assistant and former Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero.

Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia have worked with Maresca before from their time at Manchester City.

Although it’s true several players were disappointed to see Mauricio Pochettino leave, there is already excitement at what Maresca can bring.