🚨 SHOCKING Dalot red card, 'contacts' over Chelsea wonderkid target, Toney to Arsenal on loan rumours, plus smart Spurs investment and much more
Today's football headlines, transfer rumours, and goal videos from the weekend's action!
Happy Monday everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks for reading, and hope you enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Arsenal
Kai Havertz continued his fine form to score for Arsenal in their win over Brighton - how happy are you with this signing now, Gooners? [Pictures from X/Arsenal]
Ivan Toney to Arsenal on loan? Latest info from Fabrizio Romano’s column here.
Mikel Arteta: “Kai Havertz again? He’s top. His confidence is growing. He feels more secure and you can see that. His performances, the intelligence he shows on the pitch, the aggression, his work rate… top.”
Aston Villa
Aston Villa have won 25 Premier League games in 2023, their best score in a calendar year in their entire history. It’s 81 points in 2023 for Villa under Unai Emery - only Manchester City have more in this calendar year.
Ollie Watkins: “I respect Brentford fans, I love the club but there was one individual who was abusing me all the game. Personal abuse that footballers should not need to deal with. You can have banter… but this wasn’t banter, hence my celebration.”
Barcelona
Fabrizio Romano on Barcelona’s stance on Xavi amid the team’s current poor run of form.
Joao Cancelo: “We all stand with Xavi. Forget what the press says. I’m telling you the truth — it’s about me personally and my teammates. He’s a legend and all the time he is looking for what is best for the team and the club. It’s a pleasure to work with him.”
Bayer Leverkusen
Jeremie Frimpong scored again yesterday, making it seven goals and nine assists in 21 games this season so far - from right-back. His €40m release clause is not valid in January but starting from summer 2024.
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund are actively working to sign a new left-back in the January transfer window. Both board and manager agree on new signing to be completed in that position. Talks taking place with different players/options.
Brentford
Chelsea
Both Chelsea and Manchester City have made contact to be informed on Claudio Echeverri situation. His release clause at River Plate is €25m, up to €30m in the final days of the market.
Chelsea have been linked with this surprise raid on one of their biggest rivals - more details from Fabrizio Romano here.
Contacts have taken place as Chelsea are one of several top clubs linked with Roony Bardghji - more info from Fabrizio Romano here.
Mauricio Pochettino on Conor Gallagher contract due to expire in 2025: “It’s club decision, not mine. He is in the starting XI in nearly all the games and is one of the captains. For me, he is the type of player that the club needs to have as he knows the identity of the club.”
Kendry Paez has scored for Independiente del Valle in Liga Pro Final - one more record for 2007 born Ecuadorian star. He’s travelling to London early next week to make contact with Chelsea, visit Cobham and be in attendance for Chelsea’s game vs Newcastle.
Eintracht Frankfurt
Donny van de Beek’s loan move to Eintracht Frankfurt could be completed imminently - Fabrizio Romano has more details on a permanent purchase option here.
Genoa
Many clubs around Europe sent their scouts to follow Radu Dragusin but there’s no release clause in his current contract with Genoa. Reports of a €30m clause are being played down by the club.
Inter Milan
Great composure and finish here from Lautaro Martinez as Inter Milan beat Lazio away from home. They’re four points clear at the top of Serie A. FT Lazio 0-2 Inter [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Inter manager Simone Inzaghi on the UCL draw: “There are only top team but I feel we will get Manchester City.”
Lille
What a moment this was for Lille as Jonathan David scored a stoppage time equaliser against PSG! FT Lille 1-1 PSG [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Liverpool
A frustrating day for Liverpool - was this their best chance and should Trent Alexander-Arnold have scored here? FT Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Virgil van Dijk: “There was only one team trying to win the game but unfortunately it did not happen. We were superior in all aspects. They were hoping to hurt us on the counter and they are buzzing with a point.”
Jurgen Klopp: “I can’t remember such a dominant performance against Man United - even the 7-0 they were more in the game. We tried everything and the numbers we created - in terms of shots - is crazy. But with that amount of shots there should be a few more on target. That was our fault today and now we will go from here.”
Manchester City
Both Chelsea and Manchester City have made contact to be informed on Claudio Echeverri situation. His release clause at River Plate is €25m, up to €30m in the final days of the market.
Manchester United
This was a very strange red card for Diogo Dalot - thoughts on this one, United fans? FT Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Andre Onana on his form under Erik ten Hag: “I’m not happy because I know I can do much, much better, I’ve done it — and I know I will do it better. I like the way Ten Hag works and also communicated with players. We had a successful year at Ajax together, playing brilliant football.”
Andre Onana when asked about Anfield atmosphere: “I felt nothing. It’s good to have a clean sheet, but the most important thing is to win the match. When you are part of this huge club, it’s Man United… you have to win.”
Erik ten Hag on selecting Scott McTominay as Man Utd captain vs Liverpool: “He is one of the examples of what it means to play for Man Utd, to play with the badge on his heart. I’m sure he will be a communicator; I’m sure he will be an example of passion and desire.”
Scott McTominay: “I said in other interviews we are behind the manager. First and foremost, we are here to perform for the football club, he is a great man manager, and this result is a building block.”
Donny van de Beek is set to leave Man Utd - full details from Fabrizio Romano here.
Newcastle United
Real Madrid
That’s now 17 goals and five assists in just 20 games for Jude Bellingham. He has 13 goals in La Liga - more than his entire total in the Bundesliga from his time with Borussia Dortmund.
Endrick was at the Bernabeu with Real Madrid’s Juni Calafat who signed him. “It’s a child-dream to be at this stadium, we will have big history together in 6 months. I was at Valdebebas, it was very good to be with my future team mates, it was spectacular!”
Terrible news for Real Madrid as David Alaba has torn his ACL, his season is over. It’s the third ACL injury this season for Real Madrid after Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao.
Carlo Ancelotti: “Alaba has torn his ACL and it’s very sad news. This is the first time it happens to me, three of my players tearing their ACLs… it’s unbelievable.”
Real Madrid were not planning to sign anyone in January, but the Alaba injury could change things, with Ancelotti admitting: “We will see in the next days if we can sign someone in January. Tchouameni can play as centre back, it’s an emergency plan we have.”
Ancelotti with further injury updates: “Vinicius, Camavinga and Arda Guler will all be back after the holidays. They are finally almost ready. Carvajal will be probably ready to play vs Alaves.”
Roma
Renato Sanches entered the pitch at half time in Bologna-Roma… then Jose Mourinho decided to sub him off after 18 minutes. It was a technical decision, no injury. Renato was surprised, and Mourinho didn’t even look at him after the change.
Mourinho later said: “I want to apologise to Renato Sanches. Subbing him off after 18 mins is tough for the player but same for the manager. I did this 3-4 times during my career. I’m sorry with Renato.”
Mourinho on his future with deal due to expire in June: “I want to continue at AS Roma but we need to check on Financial Fair Play limitations to decide the plans. For me a separation would be hard… but if it has to happen it will never be by my decision.”
Sevilla
Sevilla are closing in on the appointment of Quique Sanchez Flores as new manager to replace Diego Alonso. The agreement is being finalised. Quique is ready to be in Sevilla in the next hours to seal the deal.
Tottenham
Spurs are very happy with their investment on Dejan Kulusevski as he’s doing great under Ange Postecoglou. He has five goals and two assists this season; he has also created eight big chances created and provided 39 key passes (5th best in the league). Tottenham paid just €30m for him in July.
Jose Mourinho: “Tottenham was a club that has an empty trophy room and then sacks me two days before a final. I mean, come on…”
West Ham United
What a goal by Mohammed Kudus and what a signing he’s been for West Ham! FT West Ham 3-0 Wolves [Pictures from Sky Sports]