🚨 Could Man Utd takeover influence January plans? Plus Arsenal star linked with exit AGAIN, and truth behind Barcelona's interest in Newcastle hero
Today's headlines, featuring Man Utd, Arsenal, Newcastle and more!
Good morning and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks as always for reading, and enjoy today’s post!
Today’s top stories:
AC Milan
Ismael Bennacer has returned to training with AC Milan today, ahead of schedule. Algerian midfielder wasn’t due back for another couple of weeks — but Ismael re-started training today. He’ll try to be back on pitch within next few weeks once he’ll be 100% fit.
Arsenal
Emile Smith Rowe has been linked with another move - full details here.
Arsenal are more than confident to get a new contract done and sealed soon for Ben White. Negotiations have been ongoing since August/September, as reported earlier. White is happy at Arsenal and the club want his new contract sealed after Martin Odegaard signed last month.
Atletico Madrid
Yann M’Vila is ready for a new chapter as he’s still available as a free agent — no talks with Atletico Madrid despite links but open to new opportunities. He’s training every single day since he left Olympiacos — now working two times per day in Lyon, ready for a new club ASAP.
Barcelona
There’s no specific release clause for Barcelona or any specific club in Bruno Guimaraes’ new deal at Newcastle - more info here.
How long have Barca been tracking Bruno? More info here.
What a player Bruno has been for Newcastle - would he be a good signing for Barcelona? [Pictures courtesy of NUFC/YouTube]
Dani Carvajal on Gavi: “Sometimes we should remember that Gavi is 19 years old... and he’s starter for Barca and Spain. There’s little more to say. He’s a gem.”
Belgium vs Sweden
Sad news from last night as the Belgium-Sweden game ended up being suspended after players refused to emerge for the second half. This followed two Swedish football fans being shot dead in Brussels ahead of the game, with another reported to be in hospital in critical condition.
“Following a suspected terrorist attack in Brussels, it has been decided after consultation with the two teams and the local police authorities, that the Uefa Euro 2024 qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden is abandoned,” Uefa said in a statement.
Chelsea
Thiago Silva on a potential return to Fluminense in 2024: “This is a long-standing relationship, right? But I’d rather keep quiet now. I have a family, I have children. So we have to think about that too. It’s about seeing where to finish off this beautiful career.”
England
Kyle Walker on playing Italy: “Hopefully we can get a little bit of payback (for Euro 2020 final). At club level, I went to Porto and lost against Chelsea and then two years later we won the Treble. People and teams evolve from that, I think you learn from occasions where you’ve been in finals and lose in finals, and setbacks and then you go on to achieve something great.”
Fiorentina
Fiorentina’s talented right-back Michael Kayode has agreed to sign a new contract with the club valid until June 2028. It will be sealed and announced soon.
Juventus
Juventus are advancing to final stages in order to extend Federico Gatti’s contract until June 2028. Talks are ongoing and proceeding fast. Gatti only wants to stay, Juventus are happy with his performances.
Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli’s agent Giordano: “He’s addicted to gambling, problem that emerged when we were not his agents. Despite this, we decided not to leave him alone. We tried to help him in any way and I have to say that he’s been behaving exemplarily since signing with us.”
Fagioli has been ‘collaborating’ with the Turin Prosecutor as he confirmed his addiction.
Manchester United
The latest on the Manchester United takeover and why Sheikh Jassim ended his interest.
Was there ever really a chance of Sheikh Jassim signing Kylian Mbappe for United? More info here.
What kind of impact could Sir Jim Ratcliffe have for Man Utd in the January transfer window?
Victor Lindelof has dropped a hint over his future at Man Utd, saying: “I have an option (for another) year and there is a deadline for it. When exactly I don’t know. But it feels quite likely that it will be activated.”
Harry Maguire is being linked with a surprise move - full story here.
Monza
Papu Gomez: “I decided to join Serie A side Monza also because of my family as I received a proposal from Saudi…I didn’t want to take my children, my family to the middle of the desert so I decided to reject and return to Italy.”
Napoli
Antonio Conte: “I’ve rejected a huge proposal from Saudi — I decided to say no. I regretted leaving Juventus after just three years. I’d like to try an experience in Roma or Napoli one day, but I usually prefer to join at the end of the season…”
Newcastle United
There’s no specific release clause for Barcelona or any specific club in Bruno Guimaraes’ new deal at Newcastle - more info here.
How long have Barca been tracking Bruno? More info here.
Could Newcastle be set to sign a top talent from a Premier League rival?
Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo is the top goal-scorer in 2023 as of today with 40 goals. Erling Haaland is second. Here’s his second goal from last night [Pictures courtesy of ViaPlay]
PSG
Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti: “Agreement with Brazil? It’s all about rumours, links… I feel very good at Real Madrid as things stand. We started our season in excellent way and we hope to keep going at same level.”
Roma
Antonio Conte: “I’ve rejected a huge proposal from Saudi — I decided to say no. I regretted leaving Juventus after just three years. I’d like to try an experience in Roma or Napoli one day, but I usually prefer to join at the end of the season…”
📰 Jose Mourinho is expected to leave Roma at the end of the season, with no talks taking place over extending his contract (Sky Sport Italia)
Shakhtar Donetsk
Shakhtar Donetsk manager Van Leeuwen has been fired. Darijo Srna will be appointed as new Shakhtar Donetsk caretaker head coach following decision to sack Van Leeuwen. The former Croatian right-back has been a director at Shakhtar since 2020… and he’ll now help the club by becoming the interim manager.
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com