🚨😱 HUGE Salah Saudi hint, Lukaku's shocking secrets, battle on for elite CB, plus what really went wrong for Messi at PSG?

Today's headlines, featuring intriguing Lukaku claim, and a message for Mo Salah...

Good morning and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - all your essential football headlines in one place. Thanks as always for reading and hope you enjoy! :-)

Today’s top stories:

• Lionel Messi loan rumours and PSG struggles - all you need to know

• “If I actually said how last summer went everyone would be shocked!”

• Pedro Neto admired by Liverpool plus three CB targets for LFC

• Plus more from Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United

Al Ahli

• Gabri Veiga: “I did not join Saudi just for money. It was the best option to develop as a player, grow under a young coach, team full of stars and league improving as Saudi PL. I’m 100% proud of my choice.”

Al Arabi

• Marco Verratti: “I didn’t want to go to another team in Europe where I could face PSG. I wanted this to be my last team. I will live in Paris all my life. My family, my children, stayed here. When I have free days, I come back just to stay in Paris!”

Al Duhail

• Christophe Galtier has just signed his contract as new Al Duhail head coach, in Qatar. Joao Sacramento and Thierry Oleksiak are both part of his coaching staff.

Al Hilal

• Romelu Lukaku on Al Hilal bid in July: “I’m proud of their interest but after initial talks I wasn’t convinced about joining Al Hilal. Al Hilal is the biggest club in Middle East, Saudi League will become one of the biggest in the world but I wasn’t ready to leave Europe.”

Arsenal

• Arsenal have been linked with the brother of one of their current players! More info here.

• 📰 Arsenal midfielder Jorginho is a target for Barcelona (Mirror)

Atletico Madrid

• Alvaro Morata confirms: “This summer, I renewed my contract with Atleti twice! I was close to leaving but then I spoke to Simeone and it was impossible to leave. I’m DYING to win a title with Atleti. That feeling would be incredible.”

• Barcelona vice president Eduard Romeu: “It’s true, Joao Felix has reduced his salary to join — and it’s €400k. It’s a very strong message from Joao. What happens in June? We hope to have the ‘problem’ to consider him staying beyond this season.”

Barcelona

• Could we see Lionel Messi back at Barcelona?

• Barcelona vice president Eduard Romeu: “It’s true, Joao Felix has reduced his salary to join — and it’s €400k. It’s a very strong message from Joao. What happens in June? We hope to have the ‘problem’ to consider him staying beyond this season.”

• How impressive has Joao Felix been at Barcelona? Worth keeping permanently? [Pictures courtesy of La Liga/YouTube]

Birmingham City

• Official, confirmed. Wayne Rooney is the new Birmingham City head coach, joining on a three-and-a-half-year deal. He said: “I’m delighted to be here. It is very clear that they have a plan. It’s a project that gives me a sense of purpose and I can’t wait to get started.”

Bordeaux

• Albert Riera is the new Bordeaux manager, signing a contract until 2025. It’s a done deal for the former Liverpool player.

Brentford

• Fiorentina director Daniele Prade: “In August our president Commisso has rejected a huge bid for Nico Gonzalez — €45m.” Brentford wanted Nico but their official bid was turned down.

Chelsea

• Romelu Lukaku: “I don’t beat around the bush, I’ll speak in time… but if I actually said how last summer went everyone would be shocked! There were really times where I thought I might explode… five years ago, I probably wouldn’t have stood back and done it.”

• 📰 Victor Osimhen has been added to Chelsea’s list of January targets (ESPN)

Feyenoord

• Could Quinten Timber be on the move soon? More info here.

Fiorentina

• Fiorentina director Daniele Prade: “In August our president Commisso has rejected a huge bid for Nico Gonzalez — €45m.” Brentford wanted Nico but their official bid was turned down.

Inter Miami

• What’s really going on with Lionel Messi and a potential loan back to Europe?

Liverpool

• Liverpool have been scouting this top young talent for some time - full info here.

• Saudi PL director Michael Emenalo on Mohamed Salah: “Mo is welcomed any time. But nobody is under pressure or forced to come. He’s a personal favourite of mine. If people want to come and there’s an opportunity to work with clubs in professional manner, we’ll be very happy to have him.”

• Pedro Neto to Liverpool? He has admirers at Anfield, according to Neil Jones.

• Neil Jones with the latest on Stefan Bajcetic’s future here.

🔵Manchester City star sets date to decide on possible move amid links with Premier League rivals

Luton Town

• Luton Town have completed the signing of Andros Townsend on a free transfer. The 32-year-old has signed with Luton on a short-term contract until January.

• Any excuse to post this famous Townsend screamer against Man City! [Pictures courtesy of Crystal Palace/YouTube]

Manchester United

• Harry Maguire on his move to West Ham collapsing: “The actual opportunity to go to West Ham, it wasn’t agreed between both clubs and myself. West Ham are a massive club but my full focus is still on Manchester United and I want to fight for my place.”

• Could Manchester United face competition for this defender?

• What’s the latest on Aaron Wan-Bissaka and a new contract?

• Has Erik ten Hag made a big mistake with Jadon Sancho?

Marseille

• Official: Javier Ribalta leaves his position as Marseille director after important job to rebuild and refresh the squad in the recent years - he’s ready for a new chapter. Mehdi Benatia is an option as new director for Marseille.

Napoli

• Antonio Conte right after being approached by Napoli: “I’m linked with important clubs but as of now, my plan remains to wait and enjoy my family.”

• More details on Conte, Napoli and what could happen next here.

PSG

• Why did things end badly for Lionel Messi at PSG? Full details here.

• PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi: “We have undergone seismic positive change at the club this summer, more than anyone imagined. When you build new foundations, it takes time. You need patience and perseverance. Not to over-react. We know we’re going in the right way.”

• Marco Verratti: “I didn’t want to go to another team in Europe where I could face PSG. I wanted this to be my last team. I will live in Paris all my life. My family, my children, stayed here. When I have free days, I come back just to stay in Paris!”

Real Betis

• Real Betis will decide in the next 24 hours about signing Sokratis Papastathopoulos as a new centre-back on free agent deal. Discussions are taking place, up to the club as today could be already right time for internal decision. Sokratis would replace Marc Bartra following his injury.

Real Madrid

• Kepa Arrizabalaga when asked about Real Madrid loan deal: “Of course I’d love to stay at Real Madrid in the future. Who doesn’t want to stay at this club? I’m very, very happy here.”

• Eduardo Camavinga has signed a new long term deal at Real Madrid - as expected, it will be valid until June 2028. His new release clause is €1B.

• Luka Modric: “Real Madrid? Oh well, it’s certainly a new situation for me not to play as much as before and as much as I’d like. You know I always want to play, I don’t want to have breaks, I don’t want to have vacations, I just want to play! I love it. I don’t want to be out … I just want to play, if necessary every 3 days, because I feel physically well. Everything that happens around me is a normal process so I simply accept it like that. I have to mentally prepare for this situation. Accept and move on.”

• Let’s hope we see Modric back on the pitch for Real Madrid as soon as possible! [Pictures courtesy of Real Madrid/YouTube]

Roma

• Romelu Lukaku: “I don’t beat around the bush, I’ll speak in time… but if I actually said how last summer went everyone would be shocked! There were really times where I thought I might explode… five years ago, I probably wouldn’t have stood back and done it.”

West Ham United

• Harry Maguire on his move to West Ham collapsing: “The actual opportunity to go to West Ham, it wasn’t agreed between both clubs and myself. West Ham are a massive club but my full focus is still on Manchester United and I want to fight for my place.”

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