🚨 Arsenal star can leave for BIG offer, Man United star's exit CONFIRMED, plus highlights and reaction as Liverpool beat Newcastle
Today's round-up, featuring Arsenal, Liverpool, Man Utd, Chelsea and much more!
Good morning folks and welcome to another Daily Briefing! Thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Highlights and reaction as Liverpool beat Newcastle at Anfield
Plus more from Chelsea, Man United and Tottenham
AC Milan
Matteo Gabbia is leaving Villarreal and he’s set to re-join AC Milan, arriving in Milan last night with formal documents to be signed today. Milan will look for one more centre-back after recalling Gabbia. Villarreal have approved the move as Eric Bailly joined the club.
Arsenal
Arsenal are advancing to the final stages of sealing a new deal for Takehiro Tomiyasu - more on that and other updates from Fabrizio Romano in his column here.
A big offer could see this Arsenal star leave in January - more info from Fabrizio Romano here.
Dominic Solanke is being talked up as a possible option for Arsenal, but what’s the latest on his situation?
Thomas Partey has not been included in the Ghana squad for the AFCON. He’s staying in London to recover from the injury that has been troubling him all season.
Ghana coach Chris Hughton on Thomas Partey: “I’ve spent a lot over this period of time with Thomas and Arsenal staff. They will treat this injury with caution, and so will the player. This is a big injury for him and the biggest injury that he’s had.”
Jamie Carragher has analysed Arsenal’s struggles in attack this season - how big a concern is this, Gooners?
Atalanta
Swedish CB Isak Hien has just signed the contract as new Atalanta player on permanent deal from Hellas Verona. Contract valid until June 2028, €8.5m to Hellas Verona for Hien who’s completed medical tests as Atalanta player today.
Barcelona
Frenkie de Jong: “I’m at the club of my dreams, Barcelona.” When asked about continued interest from Manchester United and if a new league could bring new impulses? “Possibly. But I’m very satisfied at Barca. It’s always difficult to say. For now I feel good here!”
Bayern Munich
These are real, smart clauses for Bayern into Joshua Zirkzee’s contract — wanted and managed by former director Hasan Salihamidzic when he sold him to Bologna in 2022: 50% sell-on clause, €40m release clause — so it means around €20m for Bayern. Bayern got €8.5m fee.
Brighton
Brighton have recalled Jeremy Sarmiento from his loan spell at West Brom. 21 appearances, 2 goals, and now time to return to Brighton for Sarmiento, as approved by the club’s directors.
Chelsea
What’s really going on with Conor Gallagher’s contract and interest from Tottenham?
Could Chelsea be set to move for Jean-Clair Todibo or Ousmane Diomande? Fabrizio Romano takes a look in today’s column.
Eintracht Frankfurt
Official: Donny van de Beek has joined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan from Manchester United. As revealed weeks ago, Eintracht will pay a small loan fee and cover the majority of the player’s wages. A buy option is there, but not mandatory: €11m plus €3m add-ons.
Everton
Olympique Lyon have genuine interest in signing Arnaut Danjuma in January, but talks are not advancing yet. OL want to insist in the next days, no decision made by Everton yet. Early stages.
Inter Milan
Inter will pay around €7m fixed fee for Tajon Buchanan plus add-ons — up to package close to €10m potential, final fee. Inter and Club Brugge are locked in talks even today in order to get the deal done and 100% sealed this week, possibly within Wednesday.
Liverpool
What a move this was by Liverpool as Mohamed Salah made it 150 goals for the club. FT Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Jurgen Klopp: “Don't doubt Nunez, it’s all fine. Darwin will score and there is no doubt about it, look at his assist... wow. He gets questioned on social media and that disturbs slightly. Salah? Mo is a goal scoring machine. He will never stop doing these things. He is special.”
Jamie Carragher has his concerns about Nunez’s finishing, though, as he discusses in the clip below…should the Uruguayan have put this one away? [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Klopp confirms Dominik Szoboszlai has suffered a hamstring injury: “We wanted to take Domi off, that was the plan… but unfortunately it was somehow a minute late because in the last situation he felt the hamstring. We don’t know the extent of it, obviously, so we have to wait.”
Another big talking point from the game was this from Diogo Jota - Carragher was far from impressed by what seemed like a clear dive from the Portuguese forward! [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Liverpool see Fabio Carvalho as part of their future plans, potentially from next season. Premier League clubs approached Liverpool to sign him but he’s not for sale. Carvalho will leave on loan deal as reported yesterday, no buy option clause. Liverpool only want game time assurances.
Ko Itakura has been watched closely by Liverpool - more details from Fabrizio Romano here.
Liverpool have recalled Owen Beck and his loan with Dundee has ended. “He quickly became an important player for us putting in fantastic performances, called up to the Welsh National squad for the first time,” Dundee statement reminds.
Lyon
Olympique Lyon have genuine interest in signing Arnaut Danjuma in January, but talks are not advancing yet. OL want to insist in the next days, no decision made by Everton yet. Early stages.
Manchester City
Leonardo Bonucci reveals he was close to joining Manchester City in the past: “In 2016, I was close to Man City move. They offered almost £100m but together with Juventus we decided to continue. There were talks in 2017, too — but I always let my heart dictate me.”
Manchester City expect all documents to be signed this week with River Plate and Claudio Echeverri’s camp. A verbal agreement has been completed as parties are in contact to prepare the contracts in order to make it official.
Manchester United
Victor Lindelof looks set to be handed a new contract at Manchester United, plus other updates from Fabrizio Romano’s column here.
Official: Donny van de Beek has joined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan from Manchester United. As revealed weeks ago, Eintracht will pay a small loan fee and cover the majority of the player’s wages. A buy option is there, but not mandatory: €11m plus €3m add-ons.
Frenkie de Jong: “I’m at the club of my dreams, Barcelona.” When asked about continued interest from Manchester United and if a new league could bring new impulses? “Possibly. But I’m very satisfied at Barca. It’s always difficult to say. For now I feel good here!”
Monaco
AS Monaco are confident to get the Thilo Kehrer deal done very soon as negotiations are advancing to final stages. Kehrer has been discussed also with AC Milan, Roma and Atalanta but Monaco are the favourites for his signature.
Gelson Martins to Olympiacos, here we go! Agreement in place with the Portuguese winger who travelled yesterday for medical tests. His contract will be valid until June 2026. AS Monaco will keep 10% sell on clause.
Napoli
Discussions between Napoli and Lazar Samardzic’s father are ongoing. All parties are in talks to negotiate on personal terms. Talks between Napoli and Udinese are already underway progressing well.
Newcastle United
Alexander Isak scored a well-taken goal but it wasn’t enough to prevent another defeat. Newcastle have now lost seven of their last eight games in all competitions. FT Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Eddie Howe: “The players gave everything. I back the quality of the group. In time we’ll get the results we need, I’m sure.”
Olympiacos
Gelson Martins to Olympiacos, here we go! Agreement in place with the Portuguese winger who travelled yesterday for medical tests. His contract will be valid until June 2026. AS Monaco will keep 10% sell on clause.
PSG
Kylian Mbappe’s PSG situation remains “open” - more here from Fabrizio Romano.
Official, confirmed: Lucas Beraldo has joined Paris Saint-Germain from Sao Paulo on €20m deal, no add ons included. Contract valid for the next five years. “I’m very proud of joining a top club like PSG — can’t wait to wear this shirt,” Beraldo said.
Real Madrid
Tottenham
Ko Itakura is on Tottenham’s radar, as well as Liverpool - further info from Fabrizio Romano in his column here.
Union Berlin
Leonardo Bonucci is considering options to try a new chapter in January. “In 2016, I was close to Man City move. They offered almost £100m but together with Juventus we decided to continue. There were talks in 2017, too — but I always let my heart dictate me.”
Villarreal
Matteo Gabbia is leaving Villarreal and he’s set to re-join AC Milan, arriving in Milan last night with formal documents to be signed today. Milan will look for one more centre-back after recalling Gabbia. Villarreal have approved the move as Eric Bailly joined the club.
West Ham United
Tomas Soucek has signed a new deal at West Ham valid until June 2027 — it was in place since November and now sealed between the two parties.
AS Monaco are confident to get the Thilo Kehrer deal done very soon as negotiations are advancing to final stages. Kehrer has been discussed also with AC Milan, Roma and Atalanta but Monaco are the favourites for his signature.
Really embarrassing behaviour from Diogo Jota!