🚨 Could Hazard retire? Plus Arteta's crucial role on Rice and other transfers, Pogba situation explained, Saudi league surprise, and more
Today's Briefing, featuring Arsenal, Chelsea and Eden Hazard's future.
Good morning and welcome to today’s Daily Briefing - thanks for reading and hope you enjoy! :-)
Today’s top stories:
Al Arabi
The Marco Verratti to Al Arabi plan: Medical tests to be completed on Tuesday afternoon. Contract signing right after medical tests. Here we go, confirmed — for €45m fee to Paris Saint-Germain.
Al Bidda SC
Qatari side Al Bidda SC are set to unveil Tim Akinola as a new signing from Arsenal on a permanent deal. Akinola has already signed a three-year contract at Al Bidda, Arsenal gave the green light earlier this week - full story here.
Al Ittihad
Luiz Felipe has arrived to complete his move to Al Ittihad — already signed. €25m package deal sealed with Real Betis.
Arsenal
Declan Rice: “Arteta was key for me to choose Arsenal. The moment I met him I knew he was the one I wanted to take care of next part of my career. The way he spoke, his aura, the way he sees the game. I’m so happy with my decision, I feel at home.”
Declan Rice: “I was a bit nervous on my first day at Arsenal! Then Arteta… he put a sticker on my chest saying: ‘Hello, I’m the new person.’ All the under-18s and under-21s are in the canteen! I’m walking through trying to hide my chest.”
Qatari side Al Bidda SC are set to unveil Tim Akinola as a new signing from Arsenal on a permanent deal. Akinola has already signed a three-year contract at Al Bidda, Arsenal gave the green light earlier this week - full story here.
Arsenal announce their UCL squad list officially presented tonight - Cedric Soares included as he’ll be part of the team, Jurrien Timber is currently excluded as he’s injured but he can/will be added in January as list can be updated.
📰 Arsenal could revive their interest in Dusan Vlahovic this January (Tuttomercatoweb)
📰 Arsenal have promised to try again for Ousmane Diomande next summer (Record)
💬 Arsenal fans - how would you rate the job Arteta has done, out of 10?
Belgium
Could Eden Hazard really be set for retirement? Latest details on his future here.
A reminder of how good Hazard was at his peak for Chelsea! (Pictures courtesy of Sky Sports)
Chelsea
Chelsea were never really in advanced or concrete talks to sign Rayan Cherki this summer. Club tracking him as top talent but it was never close.
Lesley Ugochukwu on joining Chelsea: “Someone still tells me - you’re young, why did you go to Chelsea? I answer - there are trains that don’t pass twice.”
Big blow for Chelsea as Romeo Lavia could be facing six weeks out with an ankle injury - full story here.
Germany
Ralf Rangnick won’t be Germany coach: “No chance. I decided 14 months ago to work as head coach at Austria, prepare the team to qualify for the Euros and play a good role there. Everything else is not a topic for me.”
Juventus
Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has now been provisionally suspended for anti-doping offense.
Paul Pogba’s agent Rafaela Pimenta: “We’re waiting for the counter-analysis and we can’t say anything now. For sure, Pogba never wanted to bend the rules — I can guarantee that.”
Liverpool
Jordan Henderson’s Saudi move received some criticism, so did any players decide to reject approaches for political reasons?
Lyon
Official, confirmed: Lyon have parted ways with Laurent Blanc — it’s over.
Graham Potter has been linked with the Lyon job, but what’s the truth? Full exclusive details here.
Rayan Cherki has a number of big club suitors - more info here.
💬 Would you like to see Cherki sign for YOUR club?
Manchester City
Rodri on the Saudi Pro League: “It must be controlled in some way this drain of talent. It’s not just veterans in the twilight of their careers as there are young people now who are leaving. I respect all their decisions, but the people who take action must control this situation.”
Manchester United
📰 Jadon Sancho could be increasingly likely to leave Manchester United after talks with manager Erik ten Hag failed to settle their issues (Daily Star)
PSG
The Marco Verratti to Al Arabi plan: Medical tests to be completed on Tuesday afternoon. Contract signing right after medical tests. Here we go, confirmed — for €45m fee to Paris Saint-Germain.
Saudi Pro League
Tottenham
Luka Vuskovic will complete his move to Tottenham this week — as previously reported. He only wanted Spurs despite interest from Man City and four other top clubs.
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com