🚨 Arteta responds to Barcelona links, Chelsea striker targets, potential Liverpool departures, AFCON screamer, La Liga GK howler, and much more
Today's round-up, featuring Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and much more!
Good morning everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing - thanks for reading, and hope you enjoy today’s round-up, brought to you ad-free and straight to your inbox as always :-)
Today’s top stories:
All you need to know about the Marcus Rashford situation at Man Utd
Plus more from Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid
Al Ittihad
Karim Benzema continues to make headlines, but what’s really going on with his future? Fabrizio Romano has the answers here…
Al Shabab
Ivan Rakitic has completed medical tests as a new Al Shabab player, he’s leaving Sevilla and moving to Saudi. His contract will be valid until June 2025, one year and half. The Croatian midfielder joins Saudi Pro League, here we go — confirmed.
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta on links with Barcelona and his decision to leave Arsenal in June: “Fake news. Totally fake news. I don’t know where it is coming from. It is totally untrue. I am really upset about it. I could not believe it. No source, nothing. These fake news about me leaving in June make me upset. I’m immersed in a beautiful journey with my players, the staff, our beautiful people… there’s still a lot to do here at Arsenal. I always said I’m in the right place.”
Arteta on signing a new contract at Arsenal: “This is something that will happen naturally when it happens. I’ve got a strong relationship with the board. We’re not discussing new deal now but it will come in a natural way. We’ve always done it that way and we’ve done it really well.”
Arteta on Arsenal transfers: “It wasn’t possible to do any January deals. We didn’t have capacity to improve the team in the way that we think we want to improve it. So we decided not to do something yet. We have one of the thinnest squads in the league, that’s for sure.”
Nuno Tavares has attracted interest from Marseille and other clubs - latest info from Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column here.
Arteta on Emil Smith-Rowe: “Things are coming together for him. He’s really pushing to get more and more minutes and we are trying to do that because he’s a fantastic player.”
Aston Villa
Jacob Ramsey has been linked with some bigger clubs, but is a move actually looking likely? Fabrizio Romano explains everything here.
Atletico Madrid
Medical tests are ongoing for Moise Kean at Atletico Madrid, as planned. Juventus have already approved the documents for the loan deal. Kean spoke to Diego Simeone and he’s set to join until June, with no buy option clause.
Barcelona
Barcelona have rejected formal bid from RC Lens for 19-year-old defender Mikayil Faye. A proposal worth €9m has been turned down by the club after internal talks today. RC Lens tried as exclusively revealed but no chance, Barca have rejected all bids for Faye.
Mikel Arteta on links with the Barcelona job: “Fake news. Totally fake news. I don’t know where it is coming from. It is totally untrue. I am really upset about it. I could not believe it. No source, nothing. These fake news about me leaving in June make me upset. I’m immersed in a beautiful journey with my players, the staff, our beautiful people… there’s still a lot to do here at Arsenal. I always said I’m in the right place.”
Bayern Munich
Bayern’s official statement on Thomas Tuchel and links to the Barcelona job: “Tuchel never spoke about Xavi and his successor, as was falsely claimed afterwards. Our head coach Thomas Tuchel was asked by supporters on Sunday as part of a fan club visit about his coaching career and his previous experiences abroad at Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, and naturally provided information about this during the discussion. He also answered general questions from fans about Spain as a footballing country. He never spoke about Xavi Hernandez and his successor, as was falsely claimed afterwards. We will no longer accept such non-factual statements directed against our coach, which always come from the same source.”
Bayern have agreed deal to sign Jonah Kusi-Asare, 16-year-old striker from AIK Solna, confirmed. Fee will be in excess of €5m - the deal is in place set to be sealed soon.
Benfica
Benfica are not open to let Florentino Luis leave on loan to Everton despite recent links. Benfica see loan deal as impossible for the final days of the window.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth have turned down two approaches from Leeds and Sheffield United for Chris Mepham. Both clubs enquired but Bournemouth have rejected as he’s important for them in the final run in and will not leave the club.
Chelsea
Jonathan David to Chelsea stories emerge again - all you need to know on the saga in Fabrizio Romano’s column here.
It’s “not over yet” for a possible late exit for this Chelsea star!
Victor Osimhen to Chelsea is the story that won’t go away, but what’s the latest on this situation?
Great news for Chelsea today as Christopher Nkunku was training with the squad ahead of the Liverpool game on Wednesday.
More from Ben Jacobs on Chelsea’s late transfer window plans here.
Fenerbahce
Caglar Soyuncu has just signed in as a new Fenerbahce player on loan from Atletico Madrid.
Feyenoord
The race for Uruguayan 20-year-old gem Luciano Rodriguez is entering key stages - Feyenoord approached Liverpool Montevideo after River Plate’s €7m bid for 60% was rejected last week. Liverpool Montevideo want €15m for 70% of the player.
Genoa
Vitinha will be in Genova today in order to complete medical tests and sign as new Genoa player from Olympique Marseille. Loan move, €25m buy option clause not mandatory included.
Getafe
What an awful moment this was for the goalkeeper, and Borja Mayoral made no mistake! FT Getafe 2-0 Granada [Pictures from ViaPlay Sports]
Hajduk Split
Josip Brekalo has just signed the contract as a new Hajduk Split player. Hajduk will pay a €100k loan fee to Fiorentina plus €100k in case Hajduk win the league.
Hull City
Medical done for Noah Ohio at Hull City, completed last night, and contract also signed. He’s joining the club on loan from Standard Liege.
Juventus
Medical tests are ongoing for Moise Kean at Atletico Madrid, as planned. Juventus have already approved the documents for the loan deal. Kean spoke to Diego Simeone and he’s set to join until June, with no buy option clause.
Juventus have completed a deal to sign 2004-born centre-back Pedro Felipe from Palmeiras. A loan with a €2m buy option has been agreed. Pedro Felipe will land in Italy on Tuesday in order to undergo a medical and sign.
Lazio
Lazio have approached Plymouth today with an initial proposal for talented winger Morgan Whittaker. Plymouth hope to keep the player at the club but Lazio are trying.
Leicester City
Leicester City yesterday completed a deal to sign Stefano Sensi from Inter. Loan for guaranteed €500k immediately plus mandatory buy option in excess of €2m in case of Premier League promotion. His medical and travel to be scheduled as soon as the documents are ready.
Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk when asked about being part of next era at Liverpool: “That’s a big question — well, I don’t know. The club will have a big job on their hands, many things will change. I am very curious which direction that will go in. We’ll see our situation.”
Official: Calvin Ramsay has left Liverpool as he has joined Bolton Wanderers on loan for the remainder of the season.
Liverpool are very happy with Darwin Nunez as he’s the first Premier League player this season to reach 10+ goals and assists in all competitions. Liverpool believe his development has been excellent, they are very happy with his improvement and attitude.
Luton Town
Daichi Hashioka is in London today to undergo medical tests at Luton Town after €2m deal agreed with Sint-Truiden. The Japanese full-back will sign a contract valid until June 2027, three and half year deal.
Manchester United
Manchester United statement on Marcus Rashford: “Marcus has taken responsibility for his actions. This has been dealt with as an internal disciplinary matter, which is now closed.”
Further details on the Rashford story in Fabrizio Romano’s column here.
Granada have agreed on terms for Facundo Pellistri to join on loan from Man United, but the deal now depends on Erik ten Hag’s green light. All parties waiting for final approval by the Manchester United manager, documents and also travel being prepared then…here we go.
Ten Hag has some doubts over letting this Man Utd player go - more info here.
Antony’s agent Pedroso on stories about Saudi move. “We’ve not received any communication from Man United about Antony and potential transfer for January or summer window. Antony has his head focused on doing his best for Manchester and improving his numbers.”
Marseille
Vitinha will be in Genova today in order to complete medical tests and sign as new Genoa player from Olympique Marseille. Loan move, €25m buy option clause not mandatory included.
Newcastle United
There is no movement around Miguel Almiron and Saudi clubs so far. Transfer window closing on Tuesday in SPL and no official proposal on the table. Instead, Al Shabab are set to complete the Ivan Rakitic deal in the next hours, it’s done.
Eddie Howe: “Probably what we won’t do is bringing a player in without losing a player the other way. I think that’s impossible.”
Lewis Miley has signed a new long term deal at Newcastle, contract completed today. Significant pay rise for the talented midfielder and excellent news for Newcastle as he’s a key part of their present and future project.
Palmeiras
Diego Costa could return to Brazil once again as his camp has been in direct contact with Palmeiras in the recent days. Discussions are taking place for the former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid striker joining Palmeiras.
PSG
Official, confirmed: Cher Ndour has signed as a new Braga player on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. There’s no buy option clause. He will wear the number 10 shirt at Braga.
Paris Saint-Germain guarantee that Marco Asensio will not leave the club in the final days of the transfer window - more from Fabrizio Romano here.
Real Madrid
La Liga president Javier Tebas on Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid. “There is a high probability that Mbappe will arrive at Real Madrid. More than 50%. It’s a personal opinion… it depends on Real Madrid, they will decide.”
Red Bull Salzburg
Red Bull Salzburg are closing in on deal to sign Flavius Daniliuc on loan from Salernitana. The Austrian centre-back was a priority target for RB Salzburg, and the deal is now almost done.
Roma
Angelino has just landed in order to undergo medical tests and sign the contract as new AS Roma player. Done deal, as reported yesterday — loan plus €6m buy option clause and sell-on clause for Leipzig. It’s over with Galatasaray.
Salernitana
Salernitana have scheduled a direct meeting today to make a final bid in order to sign Jerome Boateng. Negotiations are ongoing with the free agent defender.
Senegal
What a goal this was by Habib Diallo as Senegal made a great start against Ivory Coast, though the reigning champions ended up losing on penalties. FT Senegal 1-1 Ivory Coast (4-5 on penalties) [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Southampton
Southampton have agreed a loan deal to sign David Brooks from Bournemouth. Medical tests have been booked on Tuesday for the 26-year-old winger.
Sunderland
Sunderland have agreed deal to sign Leo Fuhr Hjelde - the Norway U21 left-back has also accepted contract proposal. Fee will be £2m for Hjelde to join Sunderland. Leeds just gave the green light.
Tottenham
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg will stay at Tottenham until the end of the season, decision has been made. Despite several discussions with clubs around Europe he was never close to leaving. Spurs always turned down loan bids, only considered permanent exit. The player’s lawyer has confirmed: “He’s staying and he wants to help Spurs.”
West Ham United
West Ham are still trying to find a way for Jota deal with Al Ittihad. Negotiations remain complicated due to the player’s salary and tax reasons but talks took place again on Monday.
West Ham remain in talks with the Textor Group for Said Benrahma to join Olympique Lyon in the final days of the transfer window.