🚨 Benzema latest amid Arsenal links, Mourinho Napoli TRUTH, plus goal highlights as Liverpool thrash Bournemouth and Real Madrid seal thrilling comeback
Today's football headlines, featuring Arsenal, Liverpool, Real Madrid and much more!
Good morning folks, welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing! Thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy today’s updates, delivered to you ad-free and straight to your inbox!
Today’s top stories:
AC Milan
Mike Maignan: “We can’t play football like this. At the first goal kick I heard monkey chants and I didn’t say anything. Second goal kick, they did it again so I called the bench and fourth referee. There needs to be very harsh sanctions. Just talking does nothing.”
Luka Romero will fly to Spain on Monday morning to undergo medical tests as a new Almeria player. He’s set to complete a loan move from AC Milan, with no buy option.
Al Hilal
Al Ittihad
More meetings will take place soon to discuss the future of Karim Benzema. The situation remains tense with Al Ittihad. Saudi Pro League bosses still want Benzema to stay in Saudi, and perhaps even to join another Saudi club. A return to Europe can only be possible with a huge salary cut.
Could Benzema to Arsenal be a realistic possibility? Fabrizio Romano’s latest info here.
Almeria
Almeria defender Marc Pubill: “I think that someone decided that we weren’t allowed to win here at Bernabeu today, and that’s what happened. Nothing more to say.”
Luka Romero will fly to Spain on Monday morning to undergo medical tests as a new Almeria player. He’s set to complete a loan move from AC Milan, with no buy option.
Al Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo: “Ballon d’Or and The Best are losing credibility. It’s not to say that Messi didn’t deserve it, or Haaland or even Mbappe… but the numbers are there and the numbers don’t deceive. You’ve to consider the entire season. The numbers are facts. I’m not surprised of my level as I know that I still have a lot of possibilities to offer. I know that I can provide a lot of goals for Al Nassr and the national team, so it was incredible on a personal level to score 54 goals.”
Aymeric Laporte has not held back with his thoughts on life in Saudi Arabia - could he be the next big name to leave? Fabrizio Romano has the latest in his exclusive column here.
Al Shabab
Jose Mourinho has confirmed that he’s “not gonna become Al Shabab new head coach.” Despite reports this week, it was never deal close or advanced between Jose Mourinho and the Saudi side.
Arsenal
Could Karim Benzema to Arsenal be a realistic possibility? Fabrizio Romano’s latest info here.
Xavi Simons has also been linked with Arsenal, but what will PSG decide to do with the RB Leipzig loanee?
Aston Villa
Kosta Nedeljkovic will complete his move to Aston Villa this weekend. The 2005-born right-back will stay at Red Star until June then starting his new chapter at Villa. Villa consider Kosta one of the most talented RBs around Europe and decided to proceed last week.
Atletico Madrid
Arthur Vermeeren is one of the names on Atletico Madrid’s list as he’s been scouted multiple times. Atletico have made contact to be informed on the conditions of the deal. Several other clubs are also keen on signing the Belgian top talent.
Atletico Madrid are currently not working on signing Callum Wilson as they’ve decided to go for Moise Kean on loan from Juventus. Kean deal is 100% verbally agreed with Juve, but still depends on what happens in talks for Angel Correa to Al Ittihad.
Caglar Soyuncu has not changed his plan at this stage — he wants to join Fenerbahce. Fener and Atletico Madrid remain in talks as loan deal details are still being discussed. Porto, Monaco and Fulham are there since the beginning of January… but he’s waiting for Fener.
Barcelona
What a finish this was by Joao Felix as Barcelona grabbed a late win against
Joao Felix: “I’m used to see people speaking about me, when I play or I don’t play…Someone’s always speaking about me, but I don’t care. I trust myself when I play, I try to give my best. Best way: don’t see stories, don’t listen to anyone, keep going.”
Xavi: “Ferran Torres has turned the tables by himself. I spoke with him in the summer, he sent me a spectacular message as he was willing to succeed… that is what he is doing. He is one of the footballers who has the most mental strength. I’m very happy.”
Bayer Leverkusen
Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen are still the only unbeaten team in Europe’s top five leagues. Leverkusen have 24 wins, 3 draws and 0 defeats in all competitions, scoring 85 goals and conceding 20.
Bayern Munich
Thomas Tuchel following Bayern’s first defeat to Werder Bremen since 2008: “I don’t want to say that we train well… because no one believes you anymore. We have to ask the players. We played inconsequentially, it was a deserved defeat.”
Borussia Monchengladbach
Manu Kone has interest from the Premier League and elsewhere, but what’s the latest on a possible January move?
Celta Vigo
Celta Vigo have completed a deal to sign Javier Manquillo from Newcastle on a permanent move. He’s signed a contract valid until June 2025.
Chelsea
Viktor Gyokeres has been strongly linked with Chelsea, but what’s the truth? Fabrizio Romano discusses it in his column here.
Diego Moreira is leaving Olympique Lyon via a break clause in his loan deal. The Portuguese winger is returning to Chelsea as he will work under Mauricio Pochettino starting on Monday.
Flamengo
Flamengo have agreed deal to sign Matias Vina. AS Roma will receive €8m fee plus add-ons. Contracts being prepared and here we go for the Uruguayan left-back.
Flamengo have scheduled a meeting with Real Betis to ask for Luiz Henrique. Negotiations to follow - it’s not an easy one but talks will take place.
There’s nothing at all to the rumours of Thiago Alcantara joining Flamengo in January. No talks, no board trip to England to negotiate. Zero. Flamengo were focused on their next signing, Matias Vina, which is almost done.
Freiburg
Freiburg confirm the signing of Hungarian centre-back Attila Szalai on loan from Hoffenheim for the remainder of the season.
Almeria have turned down a proposal from Freiburg for 21-year-old midfielder Dion Lopy. Freiburg offered a fee in the region of €15m and Almeria decided to reject it.
Girona
Artem Dovbyk hit a hat-trick for Girona yesterday, with this goal coming after wonderful wing play by Savio! FT Girona 5-1 Sevilla [Pictures from ViaPlay Sports]
Inter Milan
Inter CEO Beppe Marotta: “There will be no issue for Lautaro Martinez contract extension. We’ve just been busy with many games in the recent weeks but it’s gonna be sealed soon.”
Juventus
Dusan Vlahovic continued his fine form last night, scoring twice to move into double figures for the season. FT Lecce 0-3 Juventus [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Liverpool
What a superb finish this was by Darwin Nunez as Liverpool thrashed Bournemouth last night. FT Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Fabrizio Romano has his say on Liverpool’s title prospects here.
There’s nothing at all to the rumours of Thiago Alcantara joining Flamengo in January. No talks, no board trip to England to negotiate. Zero. Flamengo were focused on their next signing, Matias Vina, which is almost done.
Egypt statement on Mohamed Salah. “The Egyptian FA announces that Salah will now travel to England to receive treatment with the hope that he will join the Egyptian national team if it qualifies for the semi-finals.”
Lyon
Diego Moreira is leaving Olympique Lyon via a break clause in his loan deal. The Portuguese winger is returning to Chelsea as he will work under Mauricio Pochettino starting on Monday.
Manchester United
Anthony Martial’s agent Philippe Lamboley: “Anthony will not leave Man United and will stay until his contract ends in June. What is said about him is completely false. He was not excluded from the group and he has no problem with the coach.”
Napoli
Real Madrid
What a moment this was as Dani Carvajal secured Real Madrid’s comeback against Almeria! FT Real Madrid 3-2 Almeria [Pictures from ViaPlay Sports]
Carlo Ancelotti: “Referee’s decisions were correct today. I understand the reaction from Almería but it was all correct.”
Samsunspor
Douglas Costa’s move to Turkish side Samsunspor has just collapsed. Verbal agreement was done and medical also booked but the deal is now off after the player’s decision. The former Juventus and Bayern winger remains available as a free agent.
West Ham United
Maxwel Cornet finished well after some good build-up play by West Ham against Sheffield United yesterday. FT Sheffield United 2-2 West Ham [Pictures from TNT Sports]
📰 West Ham are reportedly ready to break their transfer record to sign Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface (Sun)