🚨 Højlund to Man Utd LATEST, Chelsea star is Marseille bound, Newcastle's next HERE WE GO, West Ham to sign Man City star and more
Today's Briefing, featuring AC Milan, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man United, Man City and more!
Hello everyone and welcome to today’s Daily Briefing - thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy! :-)
Today’s top stories:
AC Milan
Divock Origi and Ante Rebic are not part of Milan’s pre-season tour squad, and neither is Ballo Touré. All three are on the market and talks are taking place to sell Ballo Touré asap.
Al Ahli
Al Ahli completed a deal for Riyad Mahrez on Thursday. Mahrez passed his medical tests and will be on his way to Saudi soon. He’ll play with Édouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino and waiting for Allan Saint-Maximin.
Al Nassr
Manchester United are still waiting for Al Nassr to sign the documents for Alex Telles deal after a verbal agreement on £4m fee and £7m salary per year. Al Nassr have asked for more time to sign and complete the deal.
Moussa Diaby to Aston Villa, here we go! French winger has just said yes to Villa, he wants to join Unai Emery’s project. Premier League football was always the priority. Villa will pay €50m plus €10m add-ons to Leverkusen for Diaby who picked Villa over huge bid from Al Nassr. Villa are preparing contracts and documents to be signed on Friday, and want to get it signed and sealed as soon as possible.
💬 What do you think of this non-stop Saudi Pro League player grab?
Arsenal
The Gunners are concentrating on player sales after the brilliant signings of Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber. Find out which players could be leaving the club here.
📰 Arsenal are monitoring the progress of Dinamo Zagreb youngster Martin Baturina [Daily Express]
Aston Villa
Moussa Diaby to Aston Villa, here we go! French winger has just said yes to Villa, he wants to join Unai Emery’s project. Premier League football was always the priority. Villa will pay €50m plus €10m add-ons to Leverkusen for Diaby who picked Villa over huge bid from Al Nassr. Villa are preparing contracts and documents to be signed on Friday, and want to get it signed and sealed as soon as possible.
Jonathan Johnson has more on Moussa Diaby here.
Atalanta
Understand Man United will send the opening official proposal to Atalanta for Ramsus Højlund soon. The Red Devils want to ensure that PSG don’t hijack the deal. Højlund agreed terms with United, as revealed days ago. Atalanta manager Gasperini on Man Utd and Højlund (to Sky): “I don’t know whether he’ll stay or leave — but I hope the club will value Højlund around €80, €90 or €100m fee. Rasmus is one of the best — if not the best — emerging talent in Europe as a striker.”
Bayer Leverkusen
Moussa Diaby to Aston Villa, here we go! French winger has just said yes to Villa, he wants to join Unai Emery’s project. Premier League football was always the priority. Villa will pay €50m plus €10m add-ons to Leverkusen for Diaby who picked Villa over huge bid from Al Nassr. Villa are preparing contracts and documents to be signed on Friday, and want to get it signed and sealed as soon as possible.
Besiktas
Lyanco can be considered a new Besiktas player, signed from Southampton. Documents are signed and the deal is done.
Borussia Dortmund
Official: Borussia Dortmund have now terminated contract of Nico Schulz, who will be available as a free transfer immediately.
Burnley
James Trafford has signed from Man City, deal completed on Thursday.
Chelsea
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang successfully completed medical tests as new Marseille player on Thursday. Deal to be official once documents for contract termination with Chelsea will be counter-signed. Auba will sign on a free transfer until 2026.
Ipswich Town completed the agreement with Chelsea to sign Omari Hutchinson on loan deal, here we go. Season loan agreed with a medical in the next hours and then announcement to follow.
What’s the latest on Chelsea’s interest in Rayan Cherki? Find out more here.
📰 Armando Broja could hold the key to Scamacca sale at West Ham [Forza Roma]
Everton
Everton are closing in on the Arnaut Danjuma deal. He will undergo medical tests on Saturday. Agreement reached on loan deal from Villarreal until June 2024 but will not include buy option, as things stand. Danjuma has accepted and has already spoken to Sean Dyche. Here we go.
Fiorentina
Arthur Melo to Fiorentina, here we go! Deal in place on loan for €3/4m plus €20m non-mandatory buy option clause included. I understand that the former Barça and Liverpool midfielder will undergo medical tests today.
Fiorentina CEO Barone on reports of bid from Manchester United for Sofyan Amrabat: “We have not received any proposal for Sofyan. I told him to stay focused on our club.” Man United, focused on Højlund deal, and new midfielder will be discussed later. Amrabat, in the list.
Inter Milan
Official, confirmed. André Onana joins Man United on a five year deal valid until June 2028 with an option for a further year. He will wear No.24. Onana: “To join Manchester United is an incredible honour — and I have worked hard all my life to get to this moment. Walking out at Old Trafford to defend our goal and contribute to the team will be another amazing experience.”
Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town completed the agreement with Chelsea to sign Omari Hutchinson on loan deal, here we go. Season loan agreed with a medical in the next hours and then announcement to follow.
Juventus
Arthur Melo to Fiorentina, here we go! Deal in place on loan for €3/4m plus €20m non-mandatory buy option clause included. I understand that the former Barça and Liverpool midfielder will undergo medical tests today.
Liverpool
Liverpool will complete the Jordan Henderson deal with Al Ettifaq soon and keep working on Fabinho's exit. The Brazilian midfielder has already agreed terms and the clubs remain in contact discussing key details of the proposal.
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Manchester City
West Ham are closing in on a deal to sign Carlos Borges from Manchester City on permament transfer. Verbal agreement in place for the winger born in 2004 with the fee around £14m. As always, Man City will include buy back clause into the deal. Details being finalised then here we go.
Al Ahli completed a deal for Riyad Mahrez on Thursday. Mahrez passed his medical tests and will beon his way to Saudi soon. He’ll play with Édouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino and waiting for Allan Saint-Maximin.
Manchester City and Reims are signing documents for Josh Wilson Esbrand to move on loan deal — as revealed on Wednesday. Man City also sealed an agreement on Thursday to loan Issa Kaboré to Luton Town.
There has been tension with Man City and Leipzig during the final stage of Gvardiol negotiations and the player’s medical hasn’t been completed yet. Verbal agreement reached on Wednesday — Deal still ON.
James Trafford has joined Burnley, the deal was signed and completed on Thursday.
Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes will be new Man Utd captain, as revealed three days ago.
Manchester United are still waiting for Al Nassr to sign the documents for Alex Telles deal after a verbal agreement on £4m fee and £7m salary per year. Al Nassr have asked for more time to sign and complete the deal. More to follow.
Understand Man United will send the opening official proposal to Atalanta for Ramsus Højlund soon. The Red Devils want to ensure that PSG don’t hijack the deal. Højlund agreed terms with United, as revealed days ago. Atalanta manager Gasperini on Man Utd and Højlund (to Sky): “I don’t know whether he’ll stay or leave — but I hope the club will value Højlund around €80, 90 or 100m fee. Rasmus is one of the best — if not the best — emerging talent in Europe as a striker.”
Official, confirmed. André Onana joins Man United on a five year deal valid until June 2028 with an option for a further year. He will wear No.24. Onana: “To join Manchester United is an incredible honour — and I have worked hard all my life to get to this moment. Walking out at Old Trafford to defend our goal and contribute to the team will be another amazing experience.”
Fiorentina CEO Barone on reports of bid from Manchester United for Sofyan Amrabat: “We have not received any proposal for Sofyan. I told him to stay focused on our club.” Man United, focused on Højlund deal, and new midfielder will be discussed later. Amrabat, in the list.
Marseille
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang successfully completed medical tests as new Marseille player on Thursday. Deal to be official once documents for contract termination with Chelsea will be counter-signed. Auba will sign on a free transfer until 2026.
💬 Isn’t it time for Chelsea to close the exit doors at Stamford Bridge now, or would you sell any other stars before the start of the new season?
Newcastle
Newcastle are set to sign Harvey Barnes on permanent deal from Leicester, here we go! The deal has been sealed with a £38/39m package and personal terms are also agreed now. The deal will be completed soon, and that means Allan Saint-Maximin is now closer to an Al Ahli move.
Axel Disasi is a logical fit for the Premier League. Jonathan Johnson gives us the inside track on how close Newcastle are to his signature.
PSG
Neymar has spoken about his future on Caze TV: “I hope it’s at PSG (next season). I have a contract, no one has informed me of anything and even if there isn’t much love between the fans and I, I will be there.”
Jonathan Johnson has more on Xavi Simons’ future here.
Will Kylian Mbappe still be a PSG player next season? Find out here.
Which PSG player is interesting Atlético Madrid? Read Jonathan Johnson’s exclusive insight.
RB Leipzig
There has been tension with Man City and Leipzig during the final stage of Gvardiol negotiations and the player’s medical hasn’t been completed yet. Verbal agreement reached on Wednesday — Deal still ON.
Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti has been speaking to The Athletic on a variety of topics: “Mbappé? I have never talked about players who are not at Real Madrid… I can talk about Bellingham, Arda Güler, Fran García & Brahim, who has returned very well from Milan… Talking about players who are not here is not right… I will never talk about Brazil. I’m Real Madrid’s coach and I’m staying. I won’t talk about this matter anymore. I have a contract and I'm staying with it — we will see next year what happens… I’m very happy with current squad I have, we can compete. Arda Güler has a lot of quality… yes, I believe that Real Madrid fans will enjoy him a lot.”
Southampton
Lyanco can be considered a new Besiktas player, signed from Southampton. Documents are signed and the deal is done.
West Ham
West Ham are closing in on a deal to sign Carlos Borges from Manchester City on permament transfer. Verbal agreement in place for the winger born in 2004 with the fee around £14m. As always, Man City will include buy back clause into the deal. Details being finalised then here we go.
📰 West Ham make enquiry for Juventus’ €80m-rated striker, Dusan Vlahovic [Gazzetta dello Sport]
Wolfsburg
Understand Wolfsburg have submitted a new bid today for Lovro Majer worth €18m plus add ons, with a sell on clause included. Rennes have again said no.
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com
Doping of football!
West Ham’s transfer strategy man! Waited until the Rice money came through and lost out on Barnes and others as a result. Now doing the typically West Ham thing of buying cheap players that no one has ever heard of. They’ll never learn.