🚨 Cristiano Ronaldo TOP scorer for 2023, Ivan Toney to Arsenal latest, three potential Chelsea exits, Tottenham close in on Barcelona target, and more
Today's football headlines, featuring Arsenal, Chelsea, Cristiano Ronaldo, and much more!
Good morning everyone and welcome back to the Daily Briefing after a little break over Christmas! Hope you enjoy today’s round-up, brought to you ad-free and straight to your inbox. Thanks for reading!
Today’s top stories:
Plus more from Man Utd, Real Madrid and Inter
Al Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo scored again last night, making it 54 goals in 2023 for Al Nassr and Portugal - he’s the best goalscorer of the calendar year.
Arsenal
Ivan Toney continues to be linked with Arsenal - Fabrizio Romano provides his latest info here.
Eddie Nketiah has been strongly linked with Crystal Palace, but how likely is a move?
Despite reports, there’s nothing now between Juventus and Arsenal for Charlie Patino deal. A lot of recent links with move to Italian club in January, but the reality is that Patino’s future will be discussed again by Arsenal and player side in 2024.
Mohamed Elneny is attracting concrete interest from Trabzonspor but also more clubs are keen on signing him. Besiktas, Galatasaray and Saudi clubs are exploring conditions of the move.
Aston Villa
Unai Emery: “It’s difficult. It’s a lot of games for the players – too many. They are at risk of some injuries. I can give my opinion. It's difficult for the players. Lots of teams have players injured and maybe more than normal…”
Only Man City have registered more Premier League points than Aston Villa in 2023 (85) - what a superb achievement by Unai Emery!
Barcelona
Brentford
Chelsea
What a lovely goal this was by Cole Palmer as Chelsea beat Luton Town. FT Luton 2-3 Chelsea [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Cole Palmer: “I think, hopefully, this is just the start. I’m trying to adapt to the new life as quick as possible, the new teammates and the city. Everything is new to me, and hopefully, I can show more on the pitch as well.”
Thiago Silva was not happy at the end of the Luton game as Chelsea almost threw away their 3-0 lead. Mauricio Pochettino responded by saying: “Thiago is like this. Always moaning and never happy - but that’s good! He’s 39 and still playing. I think sometimes we are there on the pitch, but sometimes it was the small details...”
Thiago Silva: “Every professional athlete will always be pushing themselves harder and thinking they can do better. In a highly competitive league, it’s the details that secure 3 points. I just didn’t want to spend New Year’s like I did Christmas, sorry.”
Romeo Lavia missed the game against Luton Town after feeling something following his debut against Crystal Palace.
Pochettino: “We need to assess Lavia in the next few days and see because he feels something. We still don’t know if it is going to be a few days or a few weeks.”
Crystal Palace
Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt and Man Utd have signed all the contracts for the Donny van de Beek deal. Loan move with buy option clause not mandatory will be made official soon after the player completed a medical two weeks ago.
Inter Milan
Tajon Buchanan is getting closer to joining Inter from Club Brugge. Talks are advancing between the two clubs. Personal terms have been agreed on long term deal.
Federico Dimarco has signed a new long term deal at Inter valid until June 2027. Agreement sealed with Italian left back who’s been one of the best Inter players in 2023 once again. Salary rise and deal sealed, he only wanted to stay.
Official, confirmed: Matteo Darmian has also signed a new deal at Inter valid until June 2025.
And more good news for Inter as Henrikh Mkhitaryan has also signed a new deal at the San Siro, valid until June 2026. One more new contract sealed after Darmian and Dimarco.
Juventus
Vasilije Adzic will travel to Italy on the second week of January to undergo medical tests as new Juventus player. 2006 born talent will join for €2m plus €1m easy add-ons plus extra add-ons for potential, total €5m package.
Despite reports, there’s nothing now between Juventus and Arsenal for Charlie Patino deal. A lot of recent links with move to Italian club in January, but the reality is that Patino’s future will be discussed again by Arsenal and player side in 2024.
LAFC
Official, confirmed. LAFC sign goalkeeper Hugo Lloris on a permanent transfer from Tottenham. Guaranteed contract through 2024 with options for 2025 and 2026, confirmed.
Manchester City
Manchester City are closing in on an exciting signing - full details here.
Kevin de Bruyne returned to the Man City squad yesterday for the first time since August 11. 141 days later, De Bruyne was part of City team again, making it onto the bench vs Sheffield United.
Manchester United
It was another bad day at the office for Manchester United, but Marcus Rashford finished well after this gift from Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matt Turner. FT Nottingham Forest 2-1 Man United [Pictures from Sky Sports]
What next for Man Utd and Jean-Clair Todibo as his move to Tottenham looks set to collapse?
Eintracht Frankfurt and Man Utd have signed all the contracts for the Donny van de Beek deal. Loan move with buy option clause not mandatory will be made official soon after the player completed a medical two weeks ago.
Mason Greenwood has been linked with top European clubs after his form on loan at Getafe - Fabrizio Romano provides his latest update here.
Erik ten Hag on how he convinces INEOS he is the right man for the job: “They know me and know when I have a squad that is available, results will be there. We were over-performing last year, so far this season we are under-performing. We have to step up.”
Nottingham Forest
Morgan Gibbs-White scored a superb winner as Forest earned a memorable win over Manchester United. FT Nottingham Forest 2-1 Man United [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Real Madrid
Luka Modric: “My plan is to keep making history at Real Madrid, to keep winning games, trophies and I hope it will happen this season. Hopefully I will enjoy every moment because you never know how long this will last at the best club in the world.”
Tottenham
Radu Dragusin has said yes to a move to Tottenham, with the clubs now set for talks - more info here from Fabrizio Romano.
Are Tottenham really in talks over signing this Chelsea star?
Official, confirmed. LAFC sign goalkeeper Hugo Lloris on a permanent transfer from Tottenham. Guaranteed contract through 2024 with options for 2025 and 2026, confirmed.
Villarreal
Official, confirmed: Eric Bailly has joined Villarreal as a free agent, deal now signed and sealed. Bailly only recently left Besiktas but is now back with his old club in La Liga.