🚨 Osimhen statement on his future, how West Ham won race for Phillips, Arsenal linked with Serie A and La Liga stars, plus Chelsea thrash Boro to reach cup final
Today's football headlines, featuring Chelsea, Arsenal, Man Utd and much more!
Good morning everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing - your essential round-up of the biggest football headlines, delivered ad-free and straight to your inbox. Enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Arsenal
Arsenal could be one to watch for Victor Osimhen as he reveals he’s leaving Napoli this summer - more info here from Fabrizio Romano.
Arsenal could face competition for Martin Zubimendi this summer - details here from Fabrizio Romano’s column.
Manchester United have held formative talks over signing Joshua Zirkzee, with Arsenal also interested - more here from Ben Jacobs.
Aston Villa
Leander Dendoncker to Napoli, here we go! A loan deal has been agreed between Napoli and Aston Villa. There will be a buy option clause in June which will be worth €9m - not mandatory. A medical has been booked for the Belgian midfielder.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid have reached verbal agreement with Antwerp to sign Belgian top talent Arthur Vermeeren - more exclusive info here from Fabrizio Romano.
Javi Galan has been undergoing medical tests as new Real Sociedad player tonight. Done deal - he joins on a straight loan from Atletico Madrid, with no buy option.
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen and Real Betis are set for a final round of talks tomorrow in order to get the Borja Iglesias deal done. Negotiations are advancing to the final stages on loan with an €8m buy option clause. Borja wants the move. There are details to clarify as parties will speak more later today.
Bayern Munich
Marco Neppe has left Bayern with immediate effect. The decision has been made as the director will part ways with the club after ten years. He was key to help on deals like Harry Kane, Kim Min-jae, Matthijs de Ligt - but also in the scouting process for Alphonso Davies, Jamal Musiala and more talents.
Burnley
Michael Obafemi has signed the contract as a new Millwall player on loan from Burnley after an agreement was reached earlier this week.
Cameroon
There was late drama for Cameroon as they came from behind to beat Gambia in a crucial AFCON victory. FT Gambia 2-3 Cameroon [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Chelsea
Cole Palmer was among the scorers as Chelsea thrashed Middlesbrough last night to book their place in the Carabao Cup final! FT Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough (6-2 on aggregate) [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Mauricio Pochettino: “We are doing fantastic. I can’t complain, only the people need to believe and trust us. We are young, we need to grow. The mentality is very good, just give us time. We’re building a new project, we are improving. I’m happy, really.”
Victor Osimhen has revealed his plans - what does it mean for Chelsea?
It looks set to be a busy end to January for Chelsea - details here from Ben Jacobs.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace talent Ademola Ola-Adebomi has signed a new one-year extension at Selhurst Park and immediately goes out on loan. Ola-Adebomi will join Burton Albion until the end of the season.
Here’s why Crystal Palace missed out on signing Kalvin Phillips.
Ghana
Official: The Ghana Football Association have announced that head coach Chris Hughton has been fired.
Leeds United
Lille
Lille president Olivier Letang: “Leny Yoro will NOT leave the club in January. There are no negotiations or talks now contrary to what some suggest.” PSG, Man United and Real Madrid scouts have recently monitored Yoro at Lille. He’s represented by super agent Jorge Mendes.
Liverpool
Manchester City
Kalvin Phillips to West Ham, here we go! Loan deal agreed with Man City and also on player side - more info here from Fabrizio Romano.
Manchester United
Manchester United have held formative talks over signing Joshua Zirkzee, with Arsenal also interested - more here from Ben Jacobs.
Official, confirmed: Dan Gore has joined Port Vale on a loan deal from Manchester United.
George Ilenikhena has spoken about his dream to join Man United, but is a move likely?
Marseille
Olympique Marseille are still trying to sign Nuno Tavares. Arsenal are 100% open to selling the left-back to OM now on a permanent transfer, but the deal depends on Nottingham Forest as they are insisting to keep Nuno until June and there’s no re-call clause.
Napoli
Victor Osimhen: “I have already made my decision on the next step to do at the end of the season. I already made up my mind. I already have my plan, I know what I want to do, the next step I want to take. I think 60% of the people mention the rumours about me linked with the Premier League. Premier League is one of the biggest leagues in the world. I want to finish the season with Napoli strong then come up with the decision I’ve already made.”
Leander Dendoncker to Napoli, here we go! A loan deal has been agreed between Napoli and Aston Villa. There will be a buy option clause in June which will be worth €9m - not mandatory. A medical has been booked for the Belgian midfielder.
Matteo Politano will sign a new three-year deal at Napoli, it was never in doubt. It’s all done and agreed since last week. Timing also confirmed, documents are ready and set to be signed this week. His salary will be around €2.8/3m per year. Politano will not join Al Shabab.
Newcastle United
Miguel Almiron could leave Newcastle but it’s not yet 100% clear which Saudi club he’ll join - more here from Ben Jacobs’ exclusive column.
Newcastle insist on their position: Bayern’s new formal bid in the region of €15m for Kieran Trippier has been rejected.
Newcastle have confirmed that Joelinton has undergone surgery. It follows the injury he sustained against Sunderland. Following rehabilitation, the Brazilian midfielder is expected to return to action in May.
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest are in advanced talks to sign Carlos Borges from Ajax on loan deal. Negotiations are on as Ajax have been approached by Forest to bring Carlos back to Premier League. Forest want to sign both Borges and Gio Reyna.
Olympiacos
Olympiacos have added Nemanja Radonjic to their list as one of the targets for the final days of transfer window. Discussions have taken place as Radonjic can leave Torino after attracting interest from Monza and Mallorca earlier this month.
PSG
Braga are closing in on a deal to sign Cher Ndour on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. Talks are at very advanced stages, with the deal close to being done. His medical will take place in the next days. Here we go soon.
Real Madrid
Official, confirmed: Eder Militao has signed a new long term deal at Real Madrid until June 2028. His release clause is €1bn.
Real Sociedad
Javi Galan has been undergoing medical tests as new Real Sociedad player tonight. Done deal - he joins on a straight loan from Atletico Madrid, with no buy option.
Arsenal could face competition for Martin Zubimendi this summer - details here from Fabrizio Romano’s column.
Roma
Roma rejected multiple approaches for Sardar Azmoun, one more from Sevilla in the recent days. There is no intention to break the loan deal from Bayer Leverkusen as Daniele De Rossi wants Azmoun as part of the squad. Andrea Belotti could leave in case of good proposal or swap deal.
Senegal
A clinical finish after a smart counter-attack from Senegal as they beat Guinea yesterday. FT Senegal 2-0 Guinea [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Sevilla
Torino have approached Sevilla’s Rafa Mir as potential target for the final days of the transfer window. More talks to follow to understand how to advance in negotiations, it’s at early stages now.
Spartak Moscow
Spartak Moscow have sent a formal bid to Twente for Manfred Ugalde. Negotiations are at advanced stages and personal terms have already been agreed on the player side. Talks continue to get it done, it’s on final steps now.
Tottenham
Watford
Emmanuel Dennis has completed medical tests at Watford and signed his contract. He’s back for a second spell, joining on loan from Istanbul Basaksehir until June.
West Ham United
Kalvin Phillips to West Ham, here we go! Loan deal agreed with Man City and also on player side - more info here from Fabrizio Romano.