🚨 Gvardiol to Man City, latest on Liverpool exits, Onana on Man Utd ambitions, plus latest Saudi signings and more
Today's Briefing, featuring Man City, Liverpool, Man Utd and much more!
Good morning everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing - thanks for reading, and enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
AC Milan
Tijjani Reijnders has joined AC Milan from AZ Alkmaar on a permanent deal - it’s finally official.
Divock Origi and Ante Rebic are not part of the AC Milan squad travelling for pre season tour as they’re both currently available on the market. Ballo Toure also remains out of the squad as talks are taking place to sell him as soon as possible.
Arsenal
Arsenal are focusing on player sales after some big spending - updates here on Nicolas Pepe, Cedric Soares, and more.
Why didn’t Liverpool rival Arsenal for Declan Rice? Neil Jones looks into it here.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa are facing competition from Moussa Diaby - more info here.
Barcelona
Official: Oriol Romeu has returned to Barcelona from Girona after starting his career in La Masia 19 years ago. He’s signed a contract until 2026 with a €400m release clause.
Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde have both signed new long term deals with Barcelona. Yamal signs until June 2026. Balde signs until June 2028.
Nico Gonzalez was not called up for Barcelona’s USA pre season tour. Xavi has told him that his game time would be limited this season. Porto are favourites to sign Nico as talks already took place on player and club side, as reported yesterday.
💬 Can Barcelona win La Liga again next season? Could their new signings also get them further in the Champions League?
Benfica
It’s gone quiet on Goncalo Ramos, so what’s the situation? Exclusive details here.
Bournemouth
Milos Kerkez has been in England in order to undergo medical tests as a new Bournemouth player. A long term deal has been agreed on the player side, while Bournemouth will pay a £15.5m total package.
Brentford
What’s the latest on David Raya’s future? Full details here.
Chelsea
Saudi clubs keep pushing for Romelu Lukaku - they’re working on a new proposal but still waiting to see what’s going to happen with Juventus. Lukaku’s priority has always been to continue in Europe but Saudi clubs will insist again if Juve deal (priority) won’t happen.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has agreed to join Olympique Marseille, here we go! He will sign a three year deal until June 2026. Chelsea will let him leave for free, he travelled last night to Marseille’s camp and he’ll then undergo medical tests today.
Carney Chukwuemeka on his future: “I want to stay and prove to everyone what I can do and help the club. We’ll sit down with Pochettino and so we will decide what’s best for me.”
Josko Gvardiol is heading to Man City, but Chelsea wanted him too - more on that here.
📰 Chelsea are interested in signing Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace (Guardian)
Inter Milan
Juan Cuadrado has signed as a new Inter Milan player on a free transfer from Juventus. He joins on a one year deal after medical completed, €2.5m net salary until June 2024.
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Juventus
Saudi clubs keep pushing for Romelu Lukaku - they’re working on a new proposal but still waiting to see what’s going to happen with Juventus, which is the priority. Lukaku’s priority has always been to continue in Europe but Saudi clubs will insist again if the Juve deal doesn’t happen.
Leeds United
Official, confirmed: Ethan Ampadu has joined Leeds United on £7m deal plus add-ons, Chelsea will have a sell on clause. Deal signed and sealed.
Leeds United are among several clubs interested in Edouard Michut from Paris Saint-Germain. The deal will depend on conditions decided by PSG in the coming days.
Liverpool
Liverpool have no intention to consider €50m verbal approach from Al Hilal for Luis Diaz. He’s part of Jurgen Klopp long term plans. Liverpool want the Colombian winger to stay and be part of the squad this season despite Saudi interest.
Jurgen Klopp on Jordan Henderson-Al Ettifaq deal: “There will be a moment where we probably have to talk about it, but it’s not now.”
Neil Jones also discusses Liverpool’s midfield and captaincy in his exclusive column.
Could Sofyan Amrabat be an option for Liverpool? Neil Jones has some info here.
Why didn’t Liverpool rival Arsenal for Declan Rice? Neil Jones looks into it here.
Lorient
Benjamin Mendy makes his return to football by signing with Ligue 1 side Lorient - done deal. The former Manchester City left-back has signed a deal until June 2025 after he was found not guilty by Chester Crown Court.
Manchester City
Josko Gvardiol - here we go! All you need to know here.
Manchester City want a new winger to replace the departing Riyad Mahrez - more info here.
Are Man City still title favourites? Neil Jones offers his perspective.
Joao Cancelo travelled to Japan yesterday with the Manchester City first team — he’s waiting to clarify his future in the next few weeks.
Manchester City left-back Josh Wilson Esbrand will join Ligue 1 side Reims on loan until the end of the season, deal in place. Another example of City huge work on young talents as JWE will now have a new chance in a competitive league after his loan spell at Coventry City.
Manchester United
Andre Onana: “I want and I hope to win the Champions League at Manchester United. I really want to start this new exciting experience, with a coach who is a master for me.”
Eric Bailly is not part of the Manchester Utd squad travelling for their US tour as he’s out of the project and expected to leave.
Alex Telles is out of the list too as he’s set to join Al Nassr once documents will be signed - more on that here.
Donny van de Beek on his future: “This was a big moment for me. There’s still a chance I move, but we’re keeping it open.”
💬 Who would you keep and sell at Manchester United? And who should the priority signing be after Onana?
Newcastle United
Newcastle and Leicester have reached an agreement for Harvey Barnes — it’s a £38m fee. The final details are being sorted, then talks on personal terms are expected to advance in the next hours.
Al Ahli have made an official bid for Allan Saint-Maximin: €25m fee to convince Newcastle, they want more but the negotiation is now advancing to crucial stages.
PSG
Paris Saint-Germain are now planning to insist on signing Bradley Barcola. The Lyon youngster is one of the names on the list as revealed two weeks ago. PSG already had positive contacts on player side and will try to negotiate with OL for Barcola soon, while OL still want to keep him.
Tottenham
Talented centre-back Ashley Phillips will join Tottenham, an agreement is in place. It is a signing for the future, of course, but the new CB will arrive this summer. The fee to Blackburn will be £3m and his medical will take place within the next 24 hours.
Tottenham will sign a new centre-back, Ange Postecoglou confirms: “Yes, we’ll do something there — it’s not a secret. I think that's definitely our intention, absolutely. We’ve been working on it for a while and we’ll definitely try to get it done as quickly as possible.”
📰 Tottenham are considering a move for Flamengo striker Pedro (Independent)
Wolves
Matt Doherty is going back to Wolves after a brief spell at Atletico Madrid. Deal in place and medical being completed. Here we go.
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com
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