🚨 Pogba set for long ban, Saka could make Arsenal return, Ollie Watkins pens new Villa deal, Modric unhappy at Real Madrid, no Bayern contract for Boateng, and more
What would be a sufficient punishment for Paul Pogba after his failed drugs test was confirmed?
Good morning and welcome to another Daily Briefing - thanks for reading and hope you enjoy today’s post!
Today’s top stories:
Nathan Tella could have a shock in store for Gareth Southgate
Plus more from Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Liverpool
Zlatan’s opinion on why Erik ten Hag is struggling at Man United:
[Footage courtesy of Talk TV]
Al Duhail
Al Duhail are completing Christophe Galtier’s appointment in Doha. New chapter for Galtier after Lille and PSG.
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta gave injury updates on Bukayo Saka and Thomas Partey ahead of their top-of-the-table test against Man City on Sunday.
[Footage courtesy of Hayters]
Aston Villa
Ollie Watkins has signed a new deal at Aston Villa. Contract valid until June 2028. Fixed salary structure improved. Includes add-ons season by season. Emery, Monchi and Damián Vidagany all crucial to make it happen.
[Picture courtesy of Aston Villa]
Atlético Madrid
José Maria Giménez has signed a new long term deal at Atlético Madrid valid until June 2028. Decision follows approaches from UK and Italian clubs — but he wanted to stay.
[Picture courtesy of Atlético Madrid]
Bayer Leverkusen
Find out the latest on whether Xabi Alonso will be the new Real Madrid manager for the 2024/25 season here.
Bayern Munich
Pressure on Joshua Kimmich, whilst Leroy Sane and Alphonso Davies have decisions to make. The inside track on what’s happening at the Bavarian giants can be read exclusively here.
Bayern’s talented midfielder Frans Krätzig has signed a new deal valid until June 2027. The 20-year-old is considered an important part of the future project.
Bayern have informed Jerome Boateng that he will not be signed after four days training. Despite excellent training reports, extra football reasons/fans reaction made FC Bayern decide against the move. Boateng remains available as free agent.
No Boateng or Chalobah so what next for Bayern? Find out here.
Mathys Tel has made an impressive start to life at Bayern. More here.
Brazil
Carlos Augusto has been called up by Fernando Diniz. He’s part of the Brazilian national team for the 1st time. Deserved call up for the Inter left-back who didn’t want to proceed in talks with the Italian Federation despite approaches, as he only wanted to represent Brazil.
Brighton
Brighton are chasing the highly-rated 17-year-old winner of the bronze Fritz Walter Medal. Find out who he is here.
Chelsea
Pochettino on Armando Broja: “We trust him, he has amazing potential. It's about how he recovers from his big injury. He's a very talented player. We trust him, that's why he played against Fulham. Now he needs time to feel complete. Don’t compare what I did with Kane and now Broja. He’s very young, if you want to play for a big club like Chelsea you need to have patience and show that you can do it. Of course he needs to prove and give everything to be another number one striker in this top club.”
Could Pochettino be about to spring a surprise in defence at the weekend?
[Footage courtesy of Hayters]
England
Nathan Tella could have a shock in store for Gareth Southgate and England. Find out why here.
Everton
Jarrad Branthwaite has signed a new long-term deal at Everton, done and sealed. Club confirms new four-year contract until the end of June 2027.
[Picture courtesy of Everton FC]
Juventus
Paul Pogba’s back-up sample has also tested positive for testosterone. Juventus will now decide how to proceed with his contract as Pogba faces risk of long-term ban.
Pogba was an incredible Juventus talent who could’ve won the Ballon d’Or. More here.
Leipzig
Official, confirmed. Willi Orban has signed new deal at RB Leizpig valid until June 2027.
Liverpool
The Reds have concrete interest in a player who is inexpensive and the second fastest German after Leroy Sane. Christian Falk has more here.
RB Leipzig’s Lois Openda is also of interest to Liverpool. Exclusive details here.
Jurgen Klopp couldn’t resist a comical dig at the Neville brothers, Gary and Phil, after Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Union SG.
[Footage courtesy of UEFA/Hayters]
Donyell Malen is on Liverpool’s transfer list. Find out exclusively why the Reds could hold the aces in any deal here.
Klopp: “Thiago Alcantara has now had two setbacks in the rehab. Not massive but enough to take him off the pitch again. Obviously not the same injury, not at all, but a bit similar. I will not put pressure on a return.”
Man City
Haaland on Alan Shearer PL goal record: “How long is my contract? Three years and 10 months left? So, there is still time to do it, no? But if I will still be 15 years longer in England then why not? We will see…”
Man United
Zlatan Ibrahimović on the Glazers: “I think now in Man United, I don't know… there are some kind of demonstrations about the owners to sell it and that… but just a reminder, the owners are investing.”
Jadon Sancho remains unavailable for selection. No substantial changes despite reporters seeing him arriving at Carrington.
Ten Hag on Sancho: “I am sorry but there's nothing that has changed with Jadon Sancho. He’s not available, so he's not part [of the squad]. So I don't have any comment on that.”
January is crucial for United to solve the Sancho problem. More here.
Man United to go Brazilian again in the transfer window? Lorran and one other player are being scouted. Find out more here.
Ten Hag on Rashford: “He will be on fire soon. Strikers when they don't score, they need a moment and it will come. He's so experienced and when he's doing the right things and the team is, the momentum will come and he'll be on fire.”
What more can Erik ten Hag do to turn the corner at Man United? Leave your opinion in the comments!
Netherlands
Jeremie Frimpong has been included by Ronald Koeman in the Dutch national team squad for the next international games. Signed a new deal at Leverkusen until June 2028, scored in the Europa League, performing at top level… and now, back to the national team.
Nottingham Forest
Forest are running the rule over Serhou Guirassy from Stuttgart. All the details here.
Real Betis
Betis winger Assane Diao is one to watch… September 21 — makes his first team debut in UEL, September 28: scores on his La Liga debut vs Granada, October 1: scores his 2nd La Liga goal vs Valencia and October 5: scores first-ever European goal vs Sparta.
Real Madrid
Find out the latest on whether Xabi Alonso will be the new Los Blancos manager for the 2024/25 season here.
Ancelotti: "Luka Modrić will leave in January? Absolutely not. No chance. He doesn’t want to leave. He thinks he's an important player and we think the same. He's a very important player for us. We’re happy to keep him. Modrić is not happy and that’s obvious but I talk to him every day and he's still extra motivated. No one is like him inside the dressing room… he's the leader. His importance is maximum. I love him very much, we all love him.”
Modric will consider his options at Real Madrid. Exclusive insight here.
Roma
Mourinho being Mourinho
[Footage courtesy of AS Roma]
Sassuolo
Sassuolo CEO Carnevali: "It's still surprising to me that many top clubs were not able to sign Domenico Berardi in recent years. He's a top, top player. Juventus were close to signing Berardi last summer but the deal collapsed because his value was higher than their proposal.”
Southampton
Charly Alcaraz has signed a further one-year extension valid until June 2028 at Southampton. There was interest from Portuguese top clubs last summer but Alcaraz decided to stay.
[Picture courtesy of Southampton FC]
Tottenham
Ange Postecoglou is played the Happy Days theme tune in his press conference!
[Footage courtesy of Hayters]
Inside Big Ange’s Big Plan at Tottenham - The Debrief with Angus Scott, Ben Jacobs, Fabrizio Romano and guest Paul Robinson
Postecoglou on Eric Dier: “I haven't had any chats with Eric. With all these guys, if they feel the need to discuss their future I'm happy to do that, but I'm not going to seek it unless I see there's an issue. For me the issue is: are they training well? They’re doing that.”
West Ham
What’s the latest on David Moyes’ contract situation? Exclusive update here.
Wolfsburg
The contract between Maxence Lacroix and his agent has finished and it won’t be extended. He’s going to sign with a laywer to manage his future — currently under contract at Wolfsburg until 2025.
World Cup 2030
Fascinating for the fans, not for the players. Why? Read more here.
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com