🚨 All square at Anfield, Solanke special at Forest, ten Hag's ANGER, Kudus on target AGAIN, Vlahovic's 'difficulty,' Luton's lifeline and more
Today's football headlines, featuring Arsenal, Chelsea, Man United and more.
Good morning everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing - thanks as always for reading and hope you enjoy today’s post!
Top stories:
Luton win at home again, this time against high-flying Newcastle
Plus more from Bournemouth, Man City and Tottenham
Altrincham
Alex Newby channelled his inner David Beckham with a stunning 93rd-minute equaliser against Bromley. Just watch all those Santa’s celebrate! [pictures from TNT Sports]
Arsenal
Arsenal won’t give up on talented £53m-rated Barcelona target [football.london]
Gabriel’s towering header gave Arsenal the lead at Liverpool, stunning Anfield into silence. Mo Salah later equalised for the Reds, but the point earned from the 1-1 draw keeps the Gunners top of the Premier League table at Christmas [pictures from Sky Sports].
Safe to say that Mikel Arteta was very happy with the performance from his players [pictures from Sky Sports].
Barcelona
Fabrizio Romano has the latest on the João Felix and UCL suspension situations at Barcelona.
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen director Simon Rolfes: “Everyone stays. We won't let go of any players in winter.” Therefore, no January move for Tah, Hincapié or any other player.
Botafogo
Botafogo have offered $7m to sign Cristian Medina from Boca Juniors. The proposal includes a 20% sell-on clause. Boca Juniors want more to sell 2002 born midfielder, and Botafogo could bid again soon. Nottingham Forest also asked for Medina weeks ago — no agreement.
Bournemouth
Dominic Solanke hit a superb hat-trick for Bournemouth - including a magnificent 94th minute winner - to ensure that Nuno Espirito Santo’s first game in charge of Nottingham Forest ended in a 3-2 defeat. The three goals means he joins Jarrod Bowen on 11 from 17 Premier League games this season [pictures from beIN Sports].
Celta Vigo
Luis Campos will no longer work for Celta Vigo as the Spanish club and director decided to part ways. Campos remains as Paris Saint-Germain advisor.
Rafael Benitez unhappy with star signing at Celta Vigo [Relevo]
Chelsea
Chelsea talent Zain Silcott-Duberry, making an impact after travelling and training with the first team this season. 2005 born forward attracting interest from Premier League and Championship clubs for a loan or permanent transfer in January.
Si Phillips has your Wolves vs Chelsea preview: Predictions, expected lineup, head to head, and more.
Italian giants haven’t placed a bid for Trevoh Chalobah and EPL suitors likely to register interest later in the January window [Fabrizio Romano]
Reece James only agreed to surgery on one condition [Fabrizio Romano]
Fulham
After two 5-0 home wins in succession at Craven Cottage, Fulham were beaten by struggling Burnley 2-0 on Saturday, Odobert and Berge with the second-half goals.
Inter
Inter CEO Marotta on on a deal for Tajon Buchanan to replace Cuadrado: “I’m optimistic, we will find a solution to sign a new player in that position. We can’t invest big money but we will do something there for sure.”
Dimarco joins Lautaro Martinez on Inter treatment table [Inter club statement]
Juventus
Wonderful goal on his first start for Juventus vs Frosinone. Wonderful goal on his first start for the Turkish national team last month. Kenan Yildiz, 18 years old — on fire. New deal signed until June 2027, great move by Juve two months ago.
Vlahovic admits it was ‘difficult’ to accept Allegri’s decision [Football Italia]
Frosinone and Juventus have sealed the deal for Dean Hujisen on loan until the end of current season, no buy option clause, confirmed. Medical tests in the next 48 hours for the talented Dutch centre-back. It will be official at the beginning of January.
Liverpool
“Big draw” – Exciting 22-year-old who Liverpool covet set to sign for Fulham [Football Insider]
Mohamed Salah’s 151st goal for the Reds has moved him into the top 10 Premier League goal scorers list — surpassing Michael Owen. It was a vital one too as it earned Liverpool a point against Premier League leaders Arsenal [pictures from Sky Sports]
Jurgen Klopp wasn’t happy with not being awarded a penalty when Martin Odegaard clearly handled the ball [pictures from Sky Sports].
Luton Town
Andros Townsend opened the scoring with a superb header for Luton against his old employers, Newcastle. It was a vital goal because the match ended 1-0 to the Hatters [pictures from Viaplay].
Manchester City
Guardiola: "I'd like to say we had the feeling we would close the chapter by winning the Club World Cup, we won all the titles... I had a feeling the job was done, it was over. I am so proud of this club. It's something no other English team has ever achieved."
Prize money for Manchester City’s Club World Cup win revealed [Mirror]
Manchester City keep pushing to sign Argentinian talent Claudio Echeverri from River as contacts continue on both club and player side. Chelsea are still keen and interested. No changes on Barcelona stance: he’s highly rated — but deal difficult due to FFP issues.
Manchester City are planning to announce 2008 born talent Finlay Gorman as a new signing in early January
Manchester United
Erik ten Hag blamed his team “switching off” for their 2-0 defeat at West Ham [pictures from TNT Sports].
Fabrizio Romano believes there are many more problems for Man United to contend with than Erik ten Hag’s inability to get results.
13 touches: Manchester United player slammed by club legend as disappointment [TNT Sports]
Man United likely to sign a back-up striker to Rasmus Hojlund in January [Fabrizio Romano]
Napoli
Victor Osimhen signs his new deal at Napoli — confirmed.
Napoli director Meluso and Victor Osimhen’s agent Roberto Calenda didn’t want to comment about the details of the release clause included in the new deal. “We are all very happy with the new contract, let’s enjoy it. The details will remain on paper,” the player’s agent said.
Paris Saint-Germain
Lucas Beraldo to Paris Saint-Germain, here we go! Verbal agreement in place for 2003 born CB. Fee will be €20m, no add-ons. São Paulo and PSG, preparing the documents to sign the deal as soon as possible. Beraldo already agreed personal terms, waiting for medical.
River Plate
Top Argentinian talent Claudio Echeverri: “I'm NOT going to renew my contract at River Plate. I'm going to play for the next months and then we see what happens.” Echeverri has a contract that expires in December 2024 and a release clause of €25m, up to €30m. Barcelona have previously been linked to the youngster.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham director Johan Lange was in attendance at Genoa-Juventus last week to monitor Radu Dragusin. No formal approach to Genoa yet but Spurs are keeping a close eye on Dragusin. Jean Clair Todibo is higher on the list and talks are still on, but not advanced/close yet.
Premier League rivals could bid for Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher as Blues consider sale [Fabrizio Romano]
Richarlison was on target again, this time against his old club, Everton, in Spurs’ 2-1 win [pictures from Viaplay].
“Guglielmo Vicario’s saves were crucial for us. He’s been brilliant again,” said Ange Postecoglou. A leader on and off the pitch, loved by his teammates, Spurs signed Vicario for €19m from Serie A side Empoli last summer - a brilliant move.
West Ham
Roma could sign £10m West Ham ace [Fabrizio Romano]
David Moyes’ side piled the pressure on Erik ten Hag after Manchester United were beaten 2-0 at the London Stadium. Jarrod Bowen and Mo Kudus got the goals which saw the Hammers leapfrog the Red Devils in the table [pictures from TNT Sports].