🚨 Arsenal tracking in-form Premier League star, Liverpool linked with goal machine deal, Man Utd's CB targets, U-turn over Chelsea star, and more
Today's headlines and goal clips, featuring Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, and more!
Good morning and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Ajax
Ajax manager Maurice Steijn: “I’ll stay combative to turn things around for this club. I feel support and I think I will remain as manager. When I enter the club, I can feel the support from the people within the club, and from my players, and from my staff.”
Ajax have won their last game in August — four defeats in the last four games. Position in the league table: 17th.
Arsenal
Arsenal are continuing to monitor this Premier League star - full info here.
Could the Gunners make a new signing at right-back? Latest details here.
Arsenal may have been denied TWO clear penalties against Chelsea!
Aston Villa
Another fantastic performance by Aston Villa yesterday as they won their 11th home game in a row, with the in-form Douglas Luiz among the scorers. FT Aston Villa 4-1 West Ham [Pictures courtesy of Sky Sports]
Douglas Luiz is still on the radar of Arsenal and other top clubs, but what does the future hold for him? More info here.
Barcelona
Barcelona talent Marc Guiu makes his professional debut, minute 79… and he scores after 23 seconds. Crucial goal for Barca, special moment for Guiu — born in 2006. FT Barcelona 1-0 Athletic Bilbao [Pictures courtesy of La Liga/YouTube]
Xavi on Marc Guiu: “He has an eye for goal, he’s talented. I like him a lot. Given our injuries, we have to look at what we have at home and there is a lot of talent.”
Barcelona yesterday officially completed the sale of 20-year-old talent Estanis Pedrola — he’s now a Sampdoria player on a permanent deal. 10 appearances were needed to make loan deal permanent, now done; Barca will receive €3m. Barca also have a €7m buy back clause until 2025 and a 50% sell-on clause.
Bayern Munich
Harry Kane has ten goals and five assists in 11 games at Bayern. “I'm delighted it’s going so well for me. But credit goes to the guys, who support me so well. It’s a great feeling, really.”
Chelsea
Chelsea are keeping an eye on this Serie A star - full info here.
Mauricio Pochettino: “Credits to Marc Cucurella. He deserves that, really. He is training super well, he played very well against a very good player like Saka. He is working really hard and remember: he was able to play on the right side.”
What next for Cucurella after his improvement under Pochettino?
Pochettino: “Mudryk is not at his best. He needs to improve. He really needed his first goal at Stamford Bridge. He still needs to improve but with this goal, I think he is going to be more confident in the future.”
Galatasaray
A classy moment here as Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera ensured his opponent didn’t crash into the post! FT Galatasaray 2-1 Besiktas [Pictures courtesy of beIN Sports]
Girona
Savinho: “I’m so happy at Girona, this is perfect place. The City Group is a very good project. I feel that City Group’s project is first class. If I do well, Manchester City will want me…”
Inter Miami
Lionel Messi never considered any loan deal from now to February despite Barcelona links - more here.
“I’m proud of Inter Miami results this season,” Messi said. “We won the first title in club’s history, we were close to Playoffs… We keep good indications but we want to be more competitive next season. I’m sure we will keep experiencing incredible moments together with this team, this city and this club.”
Juventus
Manuel Locatelli scored the winner for Juventus yesterday as they beat AC Milan at the San Siro. Talks over his new contract will continue in the next weeks. Negotiations are already ongoing and expected to proceed very soon. FT AC Milan 0-1 Juventus [Pictures courtesy of Serie A/YouTube]
“He has special skills, he can become a really big player,” Juventus manager Allegri says about Dean Huijsen after his Serie A debut at the San Siro. Barcelona and Bayern tried to sign Huijsen months ago, but he wanted to stay as Juve recently extended his contract until 2027.
Liverpool
Reports claim Liverpool have agreed a contract to sign this top forward - more info here.
Virgil van Dijk when asked about Dominik Szoboszlai: “He is a different breed.” Liverpool are more than happy with their signing, on and off the pitch as he had excellent impact.
Lyon
Lyon are bottom of the Ligue 1 with just three points and zero wins this season. Fabio Grosso also decided to sub Rayan Cherki in the 45th minute with his team losing 2-0 at home to Clermont. Club’s owner John Textor: “I trust our manager Grosso, I trust our team. We have to work hard.”
Manchester City
Both Manchester City and player side consider Kalvin Phillips’ January exit ‘very likely’ at this point. The former Leeds midfielder will still fight to play as much as possible in the next two months but his plan is to be regular starter elsewhere in 2024.
Could Man City sign this Premier League star as a replacement for Phillips?
Pep Guardiola on Jeremy Doku: “It’s just the start of many years for Jeremy in this club, trust me. He’s an exceptional winger. He got to byline and got us the first goal. He did many actions. Really pleased with his impact since he came into us.”
How good was this Doku assist in the win over Brighton? FT Man City 2-1 Brighton [Pictures courtesy of Sky Sports]
Savinho: “I’m so happy at Girona, this is perfect place. The City Group is a very good project. I feel that City Group’s project is first class. If I do well, Manchester City will want me…”
Manchester United
Erik ten Hag: “Harry Maguire is playing like we want him to play, dominating his opponent. I am happy with his performances. He deserved MOTM award yesterday. He played a really good game, and read the game very well. I am pleased for him.”
Marc Guehi has been linked with Manchester United - more info here.
Exclusive update on Hannibal Mejbri’s contract situation here.
What next for Marc Cucurella after almost joining Man Utd in the summer?
Monza
Papu Gomez statement after receiving a two-year ban due to doping: “1) I confirm that I received word from the Spanish anti-doping commission that my licence is suspended for a period of two years. 2) I always not just rigorously respected all the rules, but also stood up as a strong defender of clean sport and sporting behaviour, condemning categorically any forms of doping. 3) I never, nor do I intend to, relied on a banned practice. 4) The presumed violation originates from the presence of Terbutaline in my system, which I accidentally ingested with a spoonful of cough syrup for my son, to alleviate his cough. It is important to specify that Terbutaline is allowed for professional athletes and in no way does it improve performance in football. 5) Without getting into the situation, I have asked my lawyers to look into the suggestion the disciplinary case was not treated according to the norms. 6) I finally wish to thank all those who showed me affection and support during these difficult moments of my professional life.”
Napoli
Victor Osimhen is yet to accept Napoli’s contract offer, so could he be heading to Chelsea or Liverpool?
Newcastle United
Sandro Tonali’s agent Giuseppe Riso: “You saw the reaction by Newcastle fans… Sandro will pay for his mistakes — but not for things he didn’t do. Someone started to condemn Tonali in the media without knowing the reality. I just hope the sanction will be correct.”
PSV
Walter Benitez is having special season at PSV with only three goals conceded in Eredivisie. PSV won all the games, 9 wins out of 9 also thanks to their GK. He’s under contract at PSV until June 2025, one to watch for sure next year.
Real Betis
Isco again and again MOTM for Real Betis after joining the club as a free agent from Sevilla. His contract is valid until June 2025, it will be extended until 2026 if he plays at least 25 games (45' each). In that case, release clause would be included for €10m.
Roma
Stephan El Shaarawy was in tears after scoring a last minute winner for Roma vs Monza: “I’ve been accused of being involved in the betting scandal by the press… it hurts, it was completely fake. I love this sport, I respect football. I’d never do something like that — I feel clean.”
Sampdoria
Barcelona yesterday officially completed the sale of 20-year-old talent Estanis Pedrola — he’s now a Sampdoria player on a permanent deal. 10 appearances were needed to make loan deal permanent, now done; Barca will receive €3m. Barca also have a €7m buy back clause until 2025 and a 50% sell-on clause.
West Ham United
Is Lucas Paqueta’s future in doubt again? More info here.
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com
No introduction to professional football will EVER beat Marc Guiu’s!