🚨Pochettino REVEALS Chelsea summer target, Barcelona president names clubs that have joined Super League, Tottenham star scores stunner, and more

Today's headlines, featuring Man United, Arsenal, Man City and much more!

the Daily Briefing

Feb 03, 2024

Good morning and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks for reading, and hope you enjoy!

Today’s top stories:

Al-Ettifaq

Steven Gerrard has appointed Dean Holden as his new assistant manager at Al-Ettifaq.

Arsenal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said that Thomas Partey is injured again. “Thomas Partey had a little setback a few days ago, unfortunately, he’s not available,” the Gunners coach stated. “Whether it is a matter of days or weeks, we will see. He felt something again in a very similar area.”
Mikel Arteta commented on Arsenal not signing a single player during the January transfer window: "Trust me, I love my players. I think positively, it's the best way. Tomorrow we’re going to score goals and be top. They’re going to be top.”
Legendary Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman has named one player he would love to see at the Gunners. [Seaman Says Podcast]

AS Monaco

Vanderson has signed a new deal with AS Monaco valid until June 2028.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has been speaking about his new signing Morgan Rogers. "His potential is big, really big,” the Villa boss said. "We added one player in the squad who can play as an 8, a 10 or sometimes as a striker. His skills will be important for us, he's ready to play.”

Barcelona

Barcelona were left shocked by Tottenham hijacking their deal for 18-year-old midfield prospect Lucas Bergvall. Fabrizio Romano has more on this incredible story here.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been speaking about manager Xavi leaving at the end of the season. “I will not dismiss Xavi in any case,” Laporta said. “Xavi told me that it was best to leave and that he was giving up the final year of his remaining contract.”
Real Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil was asked about links to Barcelona on Friday. “I’m at the best, very best club here at Real Sociedad,” he said. “I really want to keep making history at Real Sociedad.”
Barcelona will listen to offers for Raphinha this summer. [Relevo]
Man City are ready to challenge Barcelona for Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. [The Athletic]

Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich are considering buying Serhou Guirassy from Stuttgart in the summer. Christian Falk has more on the German giants’ transfer plans in his latest column.
Alphonso Davies has spoken about his future at Bayern Munich. "I feel very comfortable here at Bayern. I'm playing in an incredible team, for one of the absolute top clubs in Europe,” the left-back told Kicker.
There's still no agreement on a new contract between Bayern Munich and Alphonso Davies. The German club keep pushing, but Real Madrid continue to monitor the situation closely.
Robert Ramšak will leave Bayern Munich’s academy and join RB Leipzig in the summer.
Man City are ready to challenge Barcelona for Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. [The Athletic]

Brighton

Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi was not happy with how the club’s transfer window went. “We are two less players in midfield,” the Italian coach said. “I spoke with the club, but they decided in another way.”
Brighton had an interest in Tottenham’s Bryan Gil during the January transfer window.

Chelsea

The details of the loan fee within Armando Broja’s transfer to Fulham: if Broja hits 10 starts + minimum amount of minutes until June, Fulham will have to pay almost zero pounds; if the player starts less than 10 games, Chelsea could receive a £4m loan fee.

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino on the Blues not replacing Armando Broja: "The options we have upfront is enough.”
Mauricio Pochettino revealed on Friday that Chelsea want to sign a player that is good at set-pieces this summer. “We don't have a specialist and we were talking about trying to find for next season a good one,” the Blues coach said. “Look at West Ham’s James Ward-Prowse. You add a player like him, you increase the percentage.”
Chelsea star is ready to fight for his place at Stamford Bridge. Find out who by clicking here.
Chelsea will face a battle to keep Conor Gallagher this summer. [The Athletic]

Eintracht Frankfurt

Eintracht Frankfurt defender Willian Pacho is wanted by several Premier League clubs. German football expert has more on this story here.

European Super League

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has named some clubs who have already agreed to join the new European Super League. They are: “Inter, Milan, Napoli, Roma, Olympique Marseille, Benfica, Porto, Sporting, Ajax, Feyenoord, PSV, Anderlecht, Club Brugge and all the Spanish clubs except Atlético Madrid.”
Olympique Marseille later denied any approval to join the Super League following Laporta’s statement.
AS Roma have denied any plan to join the Super League after the statement from the Barcelona president.
Feyenoord released a club statement denying any intention to join the Super League, their position has not changed.

Fulham

The details of the loan fee within Armando Broja’s transfer to Fulham: if Broja hits 10 starts + minimum amount of minutes until June, Fulham will have to pay almost zero pounds; if the player starts less than 10 games, Chelsea could receive a £4m loan fee.
Carlos Vinicius has joined Galatasaray on loan from Fulham until the end of the season.

Galatasaray

Serge Aurier’s move from Nottingham Forest to Galatasaray was revived after the deadline passed following the deal collapsing on Deadline Day due to payment terms. The player wanted the move and will now play for the Turkish giants.
Carlos Vinicius has joined Galatasaray on loan from Fulham until the end of the season.

Inter Milan

Napoli have excluded Piotr Zielinski from their Champions League squad for their upcoming games with Barcelona. Inter are in advanced talks to sign the player as a free agent in June.
Why did Stefano Sensi’s move from Inter to Leicester City collapse on Deadline Day? Fabrizio Romano explains in his latest column.

Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp’s impending Liverpool exit has consequences in Germany. German expert shares more details on this story here.
Liverpool could be without Darwin Nunez for their match with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Manchester City

There have been reports in Spain suggesting that Erling Haaland is struggling at Manchester City. Fabrizio Romano clears up the situation in his latest column.
Man City are ready to challenge Barcelona for Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. [The Athletic]

Manchester United

Man United manager Erik ten Hag was full of praise for Kobbie Mainoo after his late winner against Wolves. "Mainoo is just everything a modern midfielder needs to be,” the Dutch coach said. "It's wonderful to see and I hope he stays calm like he is, as he did with his goal as well. He is determined, he is a good character and I hope he keeps going with this progress."
Erik ten Hag stated during his press conference on Friday that he wanted a striker in January. "It’s not a secret I wanted a striker. With the injury to Martial, we don’t really have the back-up,” the Man United boss said. "But it wasn’t possible because we have to match the FFP rules and we had no space.”
Ten Hag spoke about Mason Mount on Friday, the Man United manager said: "I really want to be there for him because he had such high expectations.” Before continuing with: “What’s now important is we have to do it very securely to get him fit. Step by step, don’t force it.”
Erik ten Hag has also provided a positive team news update ahead of Man United’s West Ham clash on Sunday.

Napoli

Napoli have excluded Piotr Zielinski from their Champions League squad for their upcoming games with Barcelona. Inter are in advanced talks to sign the player as a free agent in June.

Nottingham Forest

Serge Aurier’s move from Nottingham Forest to Galatasaray was revived after the deadline passed following the deal collapsing on Deadline Day due to payment terms. The player wanted the move and will now play for the Turkish giants.
Trabzonspor have sent a formal bid to Nottingham Forest for English defender Joe Worrall.

Olympique Lyonnais

Lyon were successful with their appeal to FIFA regarding the issues with West Ham and the paperwork for the transfer of Saïd Benrahma. The governing body granted the French club permission to complete the deal, which will be a loan move with a €5m loan fee, plus a €12m buy clause attached.

Olympique Marseille

Olympique Marseille have denied any approval to join the Super League following the statement of Barcelona president Joan Laporta.

Paris Saint-Germain

It was an eventful night for PSG’s Kylian Mbappe as he missed a penalty before scoring and assisting for his team in a 2-1 win over RC Strasbourg. The superstar was handed a gift when opening the scoring in the match. FT: RC Strasbourg 1-2 PSG. [Pictures from TNT Sports]

RB Leipzig

Lois Openda is considered unsellable in Leipzig this summer as several Premier League clubs line up a move for the forward. Christian Falk names the English clubs here.
Robert Ramšak will leave Bayern Munich’s academy and join RB Leipzig in the summer.

Real Betis

Real Betis have completed the signing of Pablo Fornals from West Ham after running into issues on Deadline Day.

Real Madrid

There's still no agreement on a new contract between Bayern Munich and Alphonso Davies. The German club keep pushing, but Real Madrid continue to monitor the situation closely.
Real Madrid have completed the signing of Ukrainian 17-year-old goalkeeper Illya Voloshyn.

Real Sociedad

Real Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil was asked about links to Barcelona on Friday. “I’m at the best, very best club here at Real Sociedad,” he said. “I really want to keep making history at Real Sociedad.”

Roma

Roma have denied any plan to join the Super League after the statement from Barcelona president Joan Laporta.

Tottenham

Tottenham’s Son Heung-min scored a sensational 104th-minute free-kick during South Korea’s dramatic win over Australia in the AFC Asian Cup Quarter-finals. FT: Australia 1-2 South Korea. [Pictures from CBS Sports]
Lucas Bergvall completed his medical and signed his contract as a new Tottenham player on Friday. The deal is valid until 2029 and the player will join the Premier League club during the summer. The 18-year-old said about the move: “It’s a fantastic feeling to sign for Tottenham and a dream to have the opportunity to play in the Premier League.”
Barcelona were left shocked by Tottenham hijacking their deal for Lucas Bergvall. Fabrizio Romano has more on this incredible story here.
Bryan Gil decided not to accept any loan move during the January transfer window. There was interest from Brighton, Feyenoord and more clubs.
Tottenham Hotspur will look to sign Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori at the end of the season. [Oggi Sport Notizie]

West Ham

West Ham manager David Moyes spoke about the failed deals of Pablo Fornals and Said Benrhama during his press conference on Friday. “There have been some problems with the paperwork [for Benrahma] at the last minute,” the Hammers coach said. "I think there is a chance the Pablo deal will be ratified. I can't confirm if it will or not at the moment though.”
In the end, Lyon were successful with their appeal to FIFA regarding the issues with West Ham and the paperwork for the transfer of Saïd Benrahma. The governing body granted the French club permission to complete the deal, which will be a loan move with a €5m loan fee, plus a €12m buy clause attached.
Pablo Fornals also completed his transfer to Real Beris after the issues were sorted out between all the parties involved.