🚨 Chelsea's WOES continue, Bayern's Dier chase, Pep's cryptic transfer update, Arda Güler's Real debut, Tierney's firm NO and more
Today's round-up of the biggest football headlines, featuring Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City and much more!
Good morning everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing. Thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy! :-)
Today’s top stories:
AC Milan
AC Milan and Hellas Verona are preparing all documents for Filippo Terracciano deal. The Italian will join the club in the next few days and medical tests will be booked soon. €5.5m guaranteed fee for Verona. Here we go, confirmed.
Serbian talent Matija Popović has still not signed any contract with AC Milan or any other club. He’ll only be able to do that from Jan 8, when he will turn 18.
Arsenal
Kieran Tierney on Arsenal recalling him from his Real Sociedad loan: “Several people have asked me about this but the answer is: no. I am definitely staying here (in January).”
Arteta: “Jurrien Timber is still far from being back with us, it’s a long-term injury. Thomas Partey? Unfortunately he’s also still far away from training with the team.”
Arteta on new left back: “We are open in the transfer market but again the emphasis is on making the most out of the players that we have. We will work together with the club to understand whether there are any possibilities and if we have any good options.”
Mikel Arteta was asked about the ‘No More Red’ campaign and the fact that Arsenal will highlight it this weekend by wearing an all white kit at home for the first time in their 138-year history [pictures from Sky Sports News].
Aston Villa
Unai Emery on Villa’s plans for January: "One or two players could leave. Maybe. It’s not clear. And if we are trying to get someone, it is because we are very convinced they will increase the level in our squad. It’s not clear in January we are going to get that.”
Barcelona
Barcelona announce that tests carried out have revealed that João Cancelo has a left MCL strain.
Fabrizio Romano has an exclusive update on Barcelona’s potential pursuit of former player and current Liverpool star Thiago Alcantara.
Bayern Munich
Thomas Tuchel already approved Eric Dier as a candidate for Bayern last summer… and he’s back on the list now. He’s considered a versatile player with experience, ready to help immediately. Bayern have three options for a new centre-back and a decision will be made soon.
Benfica
Marcos Leonardo’s contract at Benfica includes a release clause worth €150m. Benfica paid €18m to sign him from Santos plus 10% of the value in a future sale.
Chelsea
After Andrey Santos, Chelsea are also prepared to recall David Datro Fofana from his loan deal at Union Berlin. Internal discussions taking place but Fofana is expected to return and leave again.
Pochettino: “Christopher Nkunku won't start as he suffered an issue in the week. He will be in the squad but will not start. Petrović? So happy, so pleased. He's a very good professional. He's showing he can cope with the pressure of playing.”
Pochettino: “Roméo Lavia is still recovering. We still don't know when he will be available again.”
Pochettino on Conor Gallagher: “It's always about talking, taking some decisions for the future. It's between the club and the player. Nothing to announce or say. The club is happy with him. He is happy here.”
Pochettino: “I am so happy with Noni Madueke, it took him nearly six months to realise what we expect from him. He has potential and talent in the way that he needs to do the things and behave in the future if he wants to succeed.”
Sources guarantee Trevoh Chalobah is not part of Bayern’s list for the January transfer window despite recent, new links — as things stand. Bayern wanted Chalobah in August but now there are different clubs in the race.
Euro giants submit official offer to sign 21-year-old Chelsea ace this month [Fabrizio Romano]
FA Cup Third Round
Brentford vs Wolves: Despite an early red card for João Gomes and going behind to a Neal Maupay goal, Wolves rallied to earn a replay thanks to Tommy Doyle’s brilliant equaliser, 1-1 the final score [pictures from Emirates FA Cup].
Fulham vs Rotherham: Marco Silva’s side found it hard going against Rotherham, who gave it their all on the night. Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s first-half screamer was enough to see the Cottagers into the fourth round, 1-0 the final score [pictures from Emirates FA Cup].
Tottenham vs Burnley: Yet another sensational strike won Tottenham their third round tie against Burnley, Pedro Porro coming up trumps late in the game to see Spurs take the win 1-0 [pictures from Emirates FA Cup].
Inter
Official, confirmed. Tajon Buchanan joins Inter for €7m plus add-ons from Club Brugge. He’ll replace Juan Cuadrado, currently injured.
Inter welcome Buchanan with traditional Canadian breakfast [Football Italia].
Juventus
Juventus decision to extend Kenan Yildiz in August has proven to be smart and decisive. Several clubs were approaching Yildiz over a move as his previous deal was due to expire in 2025. Juve decided to keep him, seal a new deal …and he’s literally flying now.
After Dean Huijsen deal, Juventus will continue talks with AS Roma next week to sign 2004 born winger Luigi Cherubini. In case a deal is agreed, it’d be a permanent move to Juventus from Roma and not a loan. Agreement not completed yet.
Liverpool
Klopp on Owen Beck recall: “We always were pretty positive about him, we like him. It makes sense after losing our two left-backs that a boy we like is available for us, so we brought him back.”
Jurgen Klopp drops hints regarding Mo Salah’s replacement during his absence [Mirror]
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola on January signings: “I don’t think anything is happening now in the transfer window. Maybe one, who knows…”
Guardiola offered an encouraging update on some of Man City’s injured stars [pictures from Sky Sports News]
Manchester United
Manchester United don't want to include any buy option in Jadon Sancho’s loan deal to BVB as the situation will be assessed again in the summer. Man United (and INEOS) are against a cheap buy option as Sancho's current value is not high. The player’s future will be decided in June.
Manchester United willing to pay around €25 million for La Liga defender [Fichajes]
Marseille
Marseille have now decided to leave the negotiations for Lucien Agoumé despite a deal almost being agreed. Agoumé will not join as player’s doubt on final details changed the club’s position.
Monza
Monza are interested in Nemanja Radonjić as the Serbian winger could leave Torino in the January transfer window. Talks already took place, several clubs are keen on signing Radonjić but Monza are pushing for the former Marseille player.
Napoli
Official, confirmed. Napoli sign Pasquale Mazzocchi as a new full-back on a €3m deal from Salernitana. He’ll be the back-up option for Di Lorenzo.
Newcastle United
Eddie Howe on Bruno Guimarães and PSG links: “We want to keep our best players. When you are talking about your best players you want to keep them at the football club as long as possible so that is certainly our aim.”
Howe set out the club’s transfer plans for January [pictures from Sky Sports News].
Real Madrid
Arda Güler could debut for Real Madrid later today, says Carlo Ancelotti. “Arda Güler is feeling better, he’s doing well and also he has options to start.”
Real Madrid keen to sign 20-year-old right-back this summer [AS]
Roma
The release clauses in Paulo Dybala’s Roma contract: €12m release clause active now until January 15, €12m release clause valid from July 1 to July 31. If Italian clubs trigger clause, decision up to Roma, if a club from abroad triggers the clause, decision up to Paulo.
Dean Huijsen to AS Roma, here we go! Agreement reached on loan from Juventus until June, no buy option. Huijsen will sign one year extension at Juventus until 2028 ahead of the loan, as revealed.
Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds are in advanced talks to sign Ola Solbakken from AS Roma. Deal could be completed soon, final details of loan being sealed today for the Norwegian winger.
Sevilla
Sevilla have already sent a formal, official proposal to Chelsea for David Datro Fofana to join them immediately.
Lucien Agoumé to Sevilla, here we go! Agreement in place on a loan deal with a buy option clause that’s not mandatory.
Sevilla are close to reaching an agreement to sign Belgian midfielder Stanis Idumbo Muzambo from Ajax. Agreement being closed on a permanent deal, still waiting on some details before the player will travel to Spain.
Sheffield United
Official, confirmed. Ben Brereton Díaz has joined Sheffield United on a loan deal from Villarreal. There’s no buy option clause into the contract.
Tottenham Hotspur
Postecoglou on whether Ivan Perisić will play for Spurs this season: “He’s working hard, credit to Ivan — but he's unlikely to play for us again.”
Eric Dier is one of the options now being considered by Bayern as a new centre-back after a deal was already discussed last summer. Tottenham are open to letting him leave as soon as they sign a new centre-back themselves. Bayern will decide in the next days on the player they want.
Dier wasn’t in the Tottenham squad on Friday night as Bayern have agreed terms with him.
Postecoglou on Bentancur as Spurs captain against Burnley: “It is a reward for him. He has been through a lot this last 18 months. He embodies everything we want to be as a club in terms of his attitude and character. I am delighted for him.”
Tottenham have made new contacts with Genoa for Radu Dragusin. Negotiations still ongoing and expected to continue over the weekend. Personal terms remain agreed with Spurs. Genoa insist on €30m guaranteed fee, formal official bid expected soon.
Genoa president Zangrillo asked about Spurs bid for Dragusin: “Radu is a top player and top guy but we will make our final choice. We don’t need to sell anyone, we will make our decision but we won’t be forced by anyone.”
Wolves
Eintracht Frankfurt have reached an agreement in principle with Wolves for Saša Kalajdžić, deal ready. Verbal agreement on loan until June.
Gary O’Neill confirms Sasa Kalajdzić loan to Eintracht Frankfurt from Wolves: “He will leave in the next few days. Sasa will be back next summer like Fábio Silva and we will assess things then.”