🚨 Liverpool set up final vs Chelsea, reported Mbappe decision, Benzema to Man Utd latest, and did Man City star really fall out with Pep?

Today's headlines, featuring Liverpool, Chelsea, Man Utd and much more!

Good morning folks and welcome to the latest Daily Briefing - thanks for reading, and enjoy! :-)

Today’s top stories:

• What does Martial’s injury mean for Benzema Man Utd transfer?

• Liverpool through to Carabao Cup final after Luis Diaz strike

• The latest potential ins and outs at Chelsea

• Plus Neil Jones’ column, latest Arsenal news, Spurs updates & more

Ajax

• Ajax’s new contract proposal to talented midfielder Gabriel Misehouy has been rejected. He’d like to stay but it’s been considered proposal “not suitable” for talent of his level who can sign with any club for free now. His new representative is super-agent Pini Zahavi.

• Ajax are open to loaning out Anass Salah-Eddine in the final days of the January transfer window. The 2002-born Holland U21 left-back in the list of several clubs including Rangers and Torino but the race is open, nothing has been agreed so far.

Arsenal

• Arsenal and other clubs are big fans of this £52m star but a deal looks complicated.

• Jakub Kiwior on his future: “It’s definitely nice and I’m glad there’s interest in me. But I focus on what is now. Besides, there have been no talks with me yet.”

Aston Villa

• Aston Villa are currently not in talks to sign Florian Neuhaus despite recent reports. Meanwhile, Villa are signing right now all the documents for Dendoncker joining Napoli on loan.

Athletic Bilbao

• “Honestly I’d like to go drink some beers with the guys but I’m more than tired. I’m going back home!” - Inaki Williams, after travelling 12 hours to join Athletic squad after elimination from AFCON… and scoring a crucial goal to help them to the win vs Barcelona.

Atletico Madrid

• Arthur Vermeeren said goodbye to Royal Antwerp fans last night as his move to Atletico Madrid is at the final stages and expected to be completed very soon.

• Antwerp manager Mark Van Bommel: “Atleti is a very good step for Arthur Vermeeren. It seems like a club that suits him, for sure. The deal is not 100% completed yet but we won’t take any risks tonight.”

• Atletico Madrid will pay a €500k loan fee to Juventus for Moise Kean. His salary will be covered by Atleti, with the deal to be signed and sealed in the next days as we just wait on the final green light.

• Official: Atletico Madrid have completed the signing of Romanian goalkeeper Horatiu Moldovan for three and a half seasons.

Barcelona

• What a goal this was by Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal, even if it couldn’t prevent a Barca defeat. FT Athletic Bilbao 4-2 Barcelona [Pictures from RFEF]

• What’s the latest on Barcelona signing Joao Felix permanently?

• Xavi: “If at the end of the season we are not at a competitive level... I will have to leave. I know where I am, it’s a top club. Here at Barca you need to win titles or you will be at risk. I’m convinced the project here has top potential with top young players.”

• Ronald Araujo on Xavi’s future: “Xavi’s future depends on the board, we can’t intervene. But trust me, we’re very happy with the coach. He has helped us a lot and we want him to stay.”

• Barcelona president Joan Laporta: “It will be difficult but I believe that we will be candidates to win La Liga. I always agree with Xavi, I’m sure Barca will do great things in the second part of the season and we will be there to win the league.”

Bayer Leverkusen

• Bayer Leverkusen are expected to close the Borja Iglesias deal today as backup for Victor Boniface as the Nigerian striker is out until April. A loan deal with Real Betis will be sealed soon, and will also include €8m buy option clause.

Bayern Munich

• What a finish this was by Raphael Guerreiro after Harry Kane’s effort thundered against the woodwork! FT Bayern Munich 1-0 Union Berlin [Pictures from Sky Sports]

• Kieran Trippier’s move to Bayern Munich is currently OFF. Negotiations are no longer taking place between Bayern and Newcastle, as of now. Newcastle insist on their position after a €15m bid was rejected yesterday: Trippier is not for sale.

• Two more injuries for Bayern as Konrad Laimer and Dayot Upamecano will be out for some time, Thomas Tuchel confirms. Director Christoph Freund was asked about the situation, saying: “New signings? We’ll see in the next few days if something will happen. Mukiele? I’d not rule that out.”

Brentford

• Hakon Valdimarsson to Brentford deal is done, with his medical taking place today. It’ll be a €3.1m fixed fee to Elfsborg, plus €900k add-ons up to €4m potential total package. Aston Villa were also among bidders, but had an offer rejected.

Chelsea

• Chelsea are leading Barcelona in the race to sign Brazil’s biggest talent!

• One striker in and another one out at Chelsea this week?

• Thiago Silva, whose Chelsea contract expires in summer 2024: “Every time I play here at Chelsea it’s special feeling. I know with each game that ends I have the feeling it’s ending so that makes me a little sad…”

Crystal Palace

• Crystal Palace look likely to lose this key player to a top six club in the summer transfer window.

Eintracht Frankfurt

• Deal done for Jean-Matteo Bahoya to join Eintracht Frankfurt. The final fee will be €8m plus add-ons, up to €10m package to Angers SCO. Strasbourg were also keen on Bahoya but the 2005-born French talent will join Eintracht.

Everton

• Genoa are considering a move for Ben Godfrey from Everton - it could be an option via 777 connection. Discussions are taking place but there are more clubs interested in Godfrey, and Everton believe there may be better proposals.

Fiorentina

• Fiorentina director Joe Barone: “There’s no chance for Jonathan Ikone to join AS Roma. No way. Ikone will stay at Fiorentina and he’s not gonna leave.” The swap deal with Andrea Belotti was never close and it won’t happen.

• Josip Brekalo has completed his move to Dinamo Zagreb from Fiorentina today, it’s all done. €100k loan fee, €100k in case Dinamo wins the league, €200k in case Dinamo access to UCL group stages.

Fulham

• Tosin Adarabioyo’s agent has denied some ‘fake news’ about centre-back already communicating to Fulham that he’s leaving as a free agent. Tosin’s contract expires in June and there’s strong interest from many clubs but no decision has been made yet.

• More from Fabrizio Romano here about Adarabioyo’s future.

Granada

• Granada are closing in on the signing of Facundo Pellistri on loan from Manchester United. The agreement is getting closer as talks are moving fast, more contacts today to get it done between all parties. The player gave the green light ten days ago, and it’s now almost done.

Inter Milan

• The verbal agreement between Inter and Mehdi Taremi is confirmed and ready, as reported two weeks ago. Contacts are taking place on daily basis to proceed with the formal steps in the next weeks. He looks set to join as a free agent in June on a two year contract, with the option for a further season.

Juventus

• Atletico Madrid will pay a €500k loan fee to Juventus for Moise Kean. His salary will be covered by Atleti, with the deal to be signed and sealed in the next days as we just wait on the final green light.

• Juventus keep working to sign top talents as after Soule and Barrenechea, Francisco Barido will be the next one from Argentina. An agreement is being sealed with the Argentina U15 and Boca Juniors midfielder, with talks at the final stages as per sources in South America.

Leicester City

• Stefano Sensi and Leicester City - the deal now at the final stages. Enzo Maresca wants him and the club is now set to close the agreement with Inter on permanent transfer. Almost there.

Liverpool

• Luis Diaz scored to help Liverpool through to the Carabao Cup final. FT Fulham 1-1 Liverpool (2-3 on aggregate) [Pictures from Sky Sports]

• Jurgen Klopp: “It's fantastic to see our team going to do one more final. I told the boys: never take it for granted, it's fantastic! These guys are exceptional, they work very hard. These boys want to win, they want to do special things.”

• Thiago Alcantara could return to training soon, but what does his future hold? Neil Jones with the latest details here.

• Could Liverpool be in the mix to sign this Premier League winger in the summer?

• Will Saudi exits help Liverpool with this important summer deal?

• Klopp clarifies the Mohamed Salah injury situation: “Egypt and Liverpool both want the same thing, Mo Salah fit as soon as possible. If he stays in Africa and they can't do the proper treatment, it will just delay everything. We bring him here not to take him away from Egypt but just to offer the best medical treatment. It’s all agreed. If Salah is fit and they go to the final, he will be there.”

Manchester City

• Did Kalvin Phillips really have a poor relationship with Pep Guardiola?

• 📰 Man City are in the race to sign Joshua Kimmich this summer (BILD)

Manchester United

• Anthony Martial has completed surgery to address a groin complaint. He will be out of action for the next ten weeks. The French striker will stay at Manchester United until the end of the season and then leave the club as a free agent in June.

• What does Martial’s injury mean for Man United moving for Karim Benzema? Fabrizio Romano has the latest info in his column here.

• Granada are closing in on the signing of Facundo Pellistri on loan from Manchester United. The agreement is getting closer as talks are moving fast, more contacts today to get it done between all parties. The player gave the green light ten days ago, and it’s now almost done.

Morocco

• Hakim Ziyech made no mistake with a clinical finish here to give Morocco a win against Zambia. FT Morocco 1-0 Zambia [Pictures from Sky Sports]

Newcastle United

• Kieran Trippier’s move to Bayern Munich is currently OFF. Negotiations are no longer taking place between Bayern and Newcastle, as of now. Newcastle insist on their position after a €15m bid was rejected yesterday: Trippier is not for sale.

• How has Trippier responded to the Bayern move falling through? Fabrizio Romano provides exclusive insight here.

Nottingham Forest

• Nottingham Forest and Borussia Dortmund have scheduled a new round of talks over the Gio Reyna loan deal. The loan fee and salary coverage are still being discussed while Gio has already accepted Forest as a destination. His new agent Jorge Mendes is taking care of the deal.

• Standard Liege have approached Nottingham Forest to open talks to sign Jonathan Panzo. Negotiations are ongoing for a loan deal with the option to buy the defender.

Olympiacos

• Olympiacos are closing in on a deal to sign Nelson Abbey from Reading. The agreement is at the final stages, and almost done - it’s a permanent transfer for the highly-rated England U20 defender. He’s going to be part of the Olympiacos/Nottingham Forest long-term project for present and future.

• David Carmo to Olympiacos, here we go! A deal has been agreed right now with Porto. Carmo joins on loan for €250k fee plus €250k add-ons in case Olympiacos win the league. Buy option clause included: €18m. Medical and flight booked.

PSG

• Gabriel Moscardo is set to join PSG but how close did Chelsea come to hijacking the deal?

• Edouard Michut is no longer a Paris Saint-Germain player as Adana Demirspor have made his loan deal now permanent. The buy option clause has been activated. PSG will also have a 20% sell on clause for Michut.

• 📰 Kylian Mbappe has decided to leave PSG for Real Madrid (BILD)

Roma

• Fiorentina director Joe Barone: “There’s no chance for Jonathan Ikone to join AS Roma. No way. Ikone will stay at Fiorentina and he’s not gonna leave.” The swap deal with Andrea Belotti was never close and it won’t happen.

Spartak Trnava

• Spartak Trnava have rejected approaches from Italian and German clubs for 2002 born midfielder Adrian Zeljkovic. Clubs tried to make it happen after his debut with the Slovenian national team but he’s not for sale. He’s not leaving in January for any price.

Tottenham

• Excellent news for Tottenham as James Maddison is finally back in training after his injury lay-off. A huge boost for Ange Postecoglou.

• “Spurs will probably get this done” - a major update on an exciting signing here.

Villarreal

• Villarreal will keep tracking Luca Caldirola as an option for summer transfer window, when the Italian centre-back will have just one year left on his contract at Monza. Mosquera has joined on loan until the end of the season, Caldirola remains in the list for the future.

Watford

• Emmanuel Dennis has signed in as new Watford player, loan move now completed. He took 70% pay cut to return to the club and help Watford. Exclusive story, confirmed.

West Ham United

• West Ham and Nordsjaelland are now close to reaching an agreement for 2004-born winger Ibrahim Osman. Negotiations are advancing fast for a deal worth around €18m. A new round of talks has been scheduled for today/tomorrow to get it done between all parties.

Wolves

• Johnny Otto has left Wolves to join PAOK on a permanent transfer, deal agreed. Medical tests on Friday, contract until June 2025 with an option for further season.