🚨 Cherki Chelsea talks, Palhinha Man Utd rumours, PSG star close to exit, truth about Arsenal clause, worry for Liverpool, and more
Today's transfer round-up, featuring Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and more!
Good morning everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing - thanks for reading, and enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Ajax
Damian van der Vaart, Rafael’s son, has just signed a one year deal at Ajax — valid until June 2024.
Al Arabi
Al Arabi and Marco Verratti, final stages since last week - full details here.
Al Duhail
Al Duhail are now closing in on Philippe Coutinho - more info here.
Al Ettifaq
Demarai Gray to Al Ettifaq, here we go! Deal agreed for $10m fee on a permanent transfer — it will be signed today. Everton have approved the deal, Gray will sign a four year contract until 2027 and he’s already completed a medical. Done, sealed.
Did Jordan Henderson have any other offers this summer? More on that here.
Al Shabab
Official: Romain Saiss has signed for Al-Shabab on loan from Al Sadd. Saiss played just 3 games at Al Sadd as he’s now joining Al Shabab.
Anderlecht
Thorgan Hazard has completed medical tests as a new Anderlecht player — deal sealed with Borussia Dortmund. €4m fee agreed, deal done.
Arsenal
Did Arsenal negotiate a buy-back clause for Folarin Balogun? More here.
David Raya didn’t join Arsenal to sit on the bench, but is he about to get a run of games ahead of Aaron Ramsdale? Details here.
Ballon d’Or
💬 Here’s the full list of Ballon d’Or nominees - who do you think will make the top three?
Bayern Munich
Kepa: “No to Bayern? Real Madrid is Real Madrid. When Real Madrid call you, it's easy. I’ve faced Real 3 times with Chelsea. When I arrived at Bernabeu I always turned left, to the visiting dressing room, but I wanted to turn right, to local dressing room!” Full story here.
Bayern want to return for Joao Palhinha in January. The German club were very happy with the player’s attitude despite Deadline Day saga — new attempts will take place in the next months. Thomas Tuchel and club sides both approved Palhinha as a top target; Bayern will sign a DM in January.
Palhinha has also been linked with Manchester United - more on that here.
German press reports on Tuchel’s future - what’s the truth? Latest info here.
Benfica
Manuel Rui Costa: “Di Maria’s salary doesn’t go over the salary cap, he came without any signing bonus. He didn’t want to know what his salary would be, he didn’t even ask for another euro. He told me: ‘I really want to play for Benfica for any euro you’ll give me.’”
Besiktas
Eric Bailly formally completed a permanent move to Besiktas from Man United yesterday. He’s signed a one year contract, June 2024.
Celtic
Celtic agree new deal terms with top talent Mitchel Frame, 2006-born full-back. Frame already had deal to summer 2025 but now agreed new contract to summer 2026. Several clubs in England were targeting Frame, set to put pen on paper soon with Celtic.
Chelsea
Chelsea fans have been asking about Rayan Cherki talks - full details on that here.
Kepa: “No to Bayern? Real Madrid is Real Madrid. When Real Madrid call you, it's easy. I’ve faced Real 3 times with Chelsea. When I arrived at Bernabeu I always turned left, to the visiting dressing room, but I wanted to turn right, to local dressing room!” Full story here.
Everton
Demarai Gray to Al Ettifaq, here we go! Deal agreed for $10m fee on a permanent transfer — it will be signed today. Everton have approved the deal, Gray will sign a four year contract until 2027 and he’s already completed a medical. Done, sealed.
What’s the Liverpool view on Everton’s demise? Neil Jones’ thoughts here.
Fulham
Joao Palhinha could be on the move in January, but will it be to Bayern or could Man Utd join the race?
Genoa
Faroukou Cisse completes his move to Genoa today, as revealed this week. The deal is set to be signed.
Liverpool
Mohamed Salah’s future continues to dominate headlines - Neil Jones has the latest here.
Did Jordan Henderson have any other offers this summer? More on that here.
Manchester City
Ilkay Gundogan on why he left Manchester City: “City waited a relatively long time until the talks really intensified. In the end it was the perfect ending, it couldn’t have come at a better time. It was also my childhood dream to play for FC Barcelona.” Full story here.
Manchester United
Manchester United yesterday released this official statement on the Antony situation.
Could Antony be excluded from the Man Utd squad? More on that here.
Marcus Rashford has NOT been included in the Ballon d’Or nominee list, despite 30 goals and 11 assists in 56 games for Rashford in season 2022/23 with Manchester United.
Sofyan Amrabat has revealed why he was so keen to link up with Erik ten Hag - full story here.
PSG
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi: “Mbappe is an incredible player and a fantastic person, I can confirm that. We have very good and positive relationship.” Full story here.
As Marco Verratti nears an exit from PSG, what’s the truth about his relationship with Kylian Mbappe?
Real Madrid
Kepa: “No to Bayern? Real Madrid is Real Madrid. When Real Madrid call you, it's easy. I’ve faced Real 3 times with Chelsea. When I arrived at Bernabeu I always turned left, to the visiting dressing room, but I wanted to turn right, to local dressing room!” Full story here.
Sevilla
Sergio Ramos was in tears in front of Sevilla fans as he returned home yesterday…
Standard Liege
Steven Alzate has left Brighton to join Standard Liege on a loan deal until June 2024. His salary will be fully covered by the Belgian club.
West Ham
Nayef Aguerd and Saudi won’t happen now — Nayef, very happy at West Ham and West Ham are very happy with him also. West Ham have already rejected several offers this summer — considering him as top centre back.
Wolfsburg
Official: Wolfsburg complete deal to sign Polish goalkeeper Kamil Grabara from Copenhagen. The deal will be valid from June 2024.
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com
Mbappe, Haaland, and De Bruyne
interesting that something like 8 or are current or at least last season Man City men
Would love to see Saka or Vini Jr. make the podium, but I imagine it will be Mbappe in that 3rd spot, with Messi getting his final Ballon d'or before the age of Haaland begins.
Hard to look past Bonmati for the women's, though Kerr's Chelsea performances and the thunderbolt against England could potentially play spoiler. Can't rule out Daly, Earps and Bright, but I imagine the voters will feel the Lionesses' year was 2022, and we'll have Bonmati, Kerr, Popp.