🚨 BIG Vlahovic update, Liverpool's new BATTLE, Nkunku's DEBUT close, Hodgson's FEAR for Palace, Ten Hag backs Onana and more
The latest football headlines, featuring Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and much more!
Good morning everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing - thanks as always for reading and hope you enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
WATCH: An incredible own goal from Hamburg’s Daniel Heuer Fernandes
João Félix on his Barcelona future before facing Atlético Madrid
AC Milan
Paolo Maldini has continued with his tirade against those in charge of the club of his life: "AC Milan owners asked me for a plan to win the UCL. I prepared that but then they never replied as Cardinale already decided to fire me. I saw the criticism for the De Ketelaere deal but I still remember that Leao, Bennacer, Theo Hernandéz were not appreciated... Milan sold Tonali to Newcastle but I'd have tried my best to keep him at the club, for sure. We spent 1/5 of his value to sign Tonali from Brescia. I remember I had to fight with the CEO and owners, and the scouting department was against that signing.”
Maldini is still a top candidate for the Al Ittihad job as a new director - as exclusively revealed last month. "I'd never accept to join another Italian club; maybe only another top club. A Saudi Arabian club? Who knows... could be an idea."
Fabrizio Romano shares his own thoughts on the Maldini situation.
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta remains delighted with the progress that Kai Havertz is making at the club [pictures from Sky Sports].
Contract extension talks “progressing well” for key Arsenal player [The Standard]
Aston Villa
Stan Collymore has lauded Unai Emery’s impact at Aston Villa and given reasons why they’ve made a brilliant start to the 2023/24 campaign [CaughtOffside]
Versatile Villa ace set for Everton transfer on January 1st [Football Insider]
Athletic Club
Nico Williams signs a new three-year deal at Athletic Club. Despite the rumours, he never wanted to leave the club.
The keys to Inaki Williams’ improved form in front of goal [MARCA]
Atlético Madrid
Atlético Madrid president Enrique Cerezo had some good news for supporters of the Rojiblancos: “We are in talks to extend the contract of Antoine Griezmann, we are very confident. Negotiations are well underway and advancing.”
Barcelona
João Félix spoke about his future on Friday… directly before Barcelona face Atlético Madrid: “I’m so happy at Barça. I’m adapting so well, I feel good and same for my family. We will see what happens in 2024… For sure I prefer this style at Barcelona… the same as every player. If you ask anyone, even if you ask the players from Atlético, too, they would prefer to play more time on the attack, for sure. If they don't answer like that, they are lying!”
Contractor for Barcelona’s Camp Nou renovation: “The conditions are better than at the Bernabaeu or the Metropolitano” [Relevo]
Bayer Leverkusen
Jeremie Frimpong’s release clause is only valid in the summer — he could leave Bayer Leverkusen in July 2024. The value of the release clause is €40m with favourable payment terms. He’s having an excellent season so far, scoring five goals and providing seven assists.
Fabrizio Romano has more on the two Premier League clubs interested in Jeremie Frimpong.
Bayern Munich
Are Manuel Neuer and Thomas Muller leaving? Christian Falk has some exclusive insight.
Bayern want Florian Wirtz but can only afford him by selling an important player. Christian Falk has all the details on who that might be.
Thomas Tuchel has addressed the rumours regarding Alphonso Davies perhaps moving elsewhere: “Alphonso Davies is our player and an absolute key player. He knows how highly we value him. For me, how long the player is under contract doesn't change anything. He's playing regularly at the highest level. Contract talks? I trust the management.”
Fabrizio Romano has some more, exclusive, detail on the Alphonso Davies story.
Bayern full-back Bouna Sarr has torn the ACL in his left knee and will be sidelined for several months. The club have confirmed that Sarr has already undergone successful surgery.
Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund hope their 2022 signing from Manchester City will prove to be their biggest deal of all time when the player is sold. Who is it? Christian Falk has an exclusive…
Brentford
Thomas Frank is clear regarding Brentford’s position on Ivan Toney: “I don’t want to lose him. I hope, and think, he’ll be a Brentford player on February 1. For sure Ivan is fit and probably even more ambitious to get success. I’m convinced he will be absolutely on it.”
Gabriel Jesus responds to rumours that Ivan Toney will replace him [Metro]
Chelsea
Christopher Nkunku has a chance to be part of the Chelsea squad vs Brighton and make his official debut [pictures from Sky Sports].
Hakim Ziyech has been scathing about his time at Stamford Bridge: “Chelsea? Pff… we can talk about that for a long time. Things did not turn out as we had hoped. It was a period full of coaching changes, also nagging with the club management, a departure to PSG that did not happen… We had three teams there with top players. At a certain point we ran out of patience. A squad with forty players for one team is simply far too much and was asking for problems…”
Chelsea could be ‘forced’ to make Osimhen move in January says Si Phillips.
Chelsea flop has doubts over move to Newcastle United [Voetbalkrant]
Crystal Palace
Roy Hodgson is acutely aware of what his Palace team need to do to move up the Premier League table [pictures from Sky Sports].
West Ham ‘seriously exploring’ signing of Crystal Palace ace [Football Transfers]
Germany
There are problems ahead for Julian Nagelsmann and Christian Falk has the latest on what they are for the German national team coach.
Hamburg
You’ve got to feel for Hamburg goalkeeper, Daniel Heuer Fernandes. During his side’s 2-2 draw against St. Pauli in Friday night’s Bundesliga 2 game, he did this [pictures from Viaplay].
Juventus
Dusan Vlahovic on whether he’ll leave Juve: "I feel at home at Juventus and I never really thought of leaving. Saudi move? I play for one of the most important teams in the world, I'm proud and for now I see myself here. I still have two and a half years left on my contract here at Juve, we're in no rush but the club and my agent are already talking."
Liverpool
The Reds could be involved in a three-way battle with Barcelona and Manchester City for a huge European talent. Christian Falk has more…
13-goal star makes decision on his Liverpool future [Francois Plateau]
Liverpool will not push for Kylian Mbappé in January [Florian Plettenberg]
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola is convinced by the strength of the Premier League this season [pictures from Sky Sports].
Man City and Chelsea face fight with European giants to land 16-year-old prodigy [TeamTalk]
Manchester United
No interest in Timo Werner, but Christian Falk has an exclusive update on another Bundesliga-based talent that Erik ten Hag is a big fan of.
Tyrell Malacia suffered a problem during his rehabilitation, which required further surgery. He’s on course to return to action early next year, as he recovers from a knee injury.
Stan Collymore has slammed Erik ten Hag for his “absolutely dreadful” transfer policy at Man United [CaughtOffside]
Ten Hag has claimed that André Onana is the second best goalkeeper in the Premier League [pictures from Sky Sports].
The Man United manager also had this to say when asked if Onana was undroppable: “Of course not, no-one is undroppable. That is also clear. We believe and we have a strong belief that he will help us win trophies.”
Man United will continue to support André Onana but the mistakes must stop [Fabrizio Romano]
Isak vs Maguire to be the battle to watch in the Newcastle vs Man United game? Fabrizio Romano gives his thoughts on the match.
Man United and Newcastle amongst many clubs looking at Bundesliga hot-shot [Fabrizio Romano]
Newcastle
Stan Collymore has had his say on the penalty decision that went against Newcastle in the Champions League tie at PSG [CaughtOffside]
Newcastle learn asking price for 21-year-old defensive target [Calciomercato]
Newcastle to step up efforts to sign Liverpool and Tottenham target [90Min]
Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti addressed various matters in his Friday press conference: “Jude Bellingham is not injured. He will play on Saturday, he's just tired and has a discomfort in his ankle… A new forward in January? No. The club planned the squad in summer and that’s it. Everything is good… Kroos will decide himself [if he retires this season]. He knows we love him. He feels very good. His level is always the same. He plays well with Valverde, with Camavinga, with Tchouaméni... We follow Endrick, we are delighted with him. We notice that his progression is very, very fast. We are excited that he can be with us next season at Real Madrid.
How will Endrick fare at Real Madrid? Fabrizio Romano offers an exclusive opinion.
Real Madrid will make one final move for Kylian Mbappé in 2024 [Relevo]
Tottenham
It’s safe to say that Ange Postecoglou wants the idea of sin bins to be put in the bin [pictures from Sky Sports].
Ex-Celtic ace eyeing reunion with Postecoglou at Tottenham [The Sun]
Tottenham plotting January move for Johan Bakayoko [Football Insider]
Joao Felix stoking the fire yet again!