🚨 Harry Kane can't stop scoring! Plus latest on Man Utd 'revolution', big name targets for Arsenal, Kylian Mbappe decision soon, and much more

Today's headlines, featuring yesterday's goals around Europe, and major Arsenal and Man Utd transfer updates...

the Daily Briefing

Feb 04, 2024

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

Today’s top stories:

Why the summer will be a lot busier than January
Harry Kane scores yet again in this remarkable season for Bayern!
Some big names eyed for Arsenal this summer
A round up of today’s papers in Italy
Plus latest from Chelsea, Liverpool, Man Utd and more

AC Milan

Luka Jovic completed a thrilling comeback for AC Milan last night! FT Frosinone 2-3 AC Milan [Pictures from TNT Sports]

Arsenal

Victor Osimhen remains a target for Chelsea and Arsenal ahead of a likely summer move - more details from Fabrizio Romano’s column here.
Mikel Arteta also really appreciates this world class midfielder, but Arsenal could face competition for his signature - more here from Fabrizio Romano.
Arsenal plan to finalise an agreement on a new deal for Takehiro Tomiyasu in the coming weeks as he’s now set to return from the Asian Cup. Talks are already at the final stages since December.
Mikel Arteta on Thomas Partey’s new injury: “They’ve been different kinds of injuries. Not everything is bad luck but there are a lot of things that are difficult to control. The player has an history where he’s issues in the past so we have to protect him.”
Could Arsenal take a risk on this midfielder?

💬 Give us your score prediction for today’s big game between Liverpool and Arsenal!

Aston Villa

Aston Villa absolutely ran away with this game at Sheffield United yesterday, with Youri Tielemans’ goal perhaps the pick of the bunch. FT Sheffield United 0-5 Aston Villa [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Unai Emery on new signing Morgan Rogers: “His potential is big, really big. 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

Lovely finish by Robert Lewandowski as Barcelona cruised to an important win away from home. FT Alaves 1-3 Barcelona [Pictures from ViaPlay Sports]
Barcelona director Deco on next manager to replace Xavi: “This is not the time to talk about the coach, Xavi has taken us by surprise...We were counting on Xavi for next year.”
Lucas Bergvall on picking Tottenham over Barcelona: “It’s always been my dream to play in the Premier League, the best league in the world. Tottenham is a big, big club.”
Barca director Deco on Lucas Bergvall joining Tottenham. “We have a clear plan: we only want to sign players who really want to play for Barcelona. We were in talks for Bergvall yes but as we are monitoring other talents, too much attention on the press…”

Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen’s remarkable run continues - it’s now 29 games unbeaten for Xabi Alonso’s side - 25 wins and four draws, 87 goals scored and just 20 conceded.

Bayern Munich

Harry Kane scored again as Bayern came from behind to beat Borussia Monchengladbach. FT Bayern 3-1 Gladbach [Pictures from Bundesliga/YouTube]
Kane is now on 24 goals in Bundesliga on his first season in Germany… and it’s just February! That’s 28 goals in 27 games in all competitions in total.
Thomas Muller, meanwhile, celebrated 500 wins as a Bayern player - legendary.
Alphonso Davies: “I feel very comfortable here at Bayern. I’m playing in an incredible team, for one of the absolute top clubs in Europe.” However, there is still no agreement on a new contract. Bayern keep pushing, but Real Madrid keep monitoring the situation closely.
Alphonso Davies has been diagnosed with a strained MCL in his left knee and will have to take a break, FC Bayern statement confirms.

Burnley

An instant impact for David Datro Fofana at Burnley - he scored a brace in just 33 minutes against Fulham yesterday. Sevilla and two more clubs wanted him, but Vincent Kompany insisted for Fofana and also Chelsea considered a spell in the Premier League as the best one for him. There’s no buy option in the loan deal.

Chelsea

Victor Osimhen remains a target for Chelsea and Arsenal ahead of a likely summer move - more details from Fabrizio Romano’s column here.

Cruzeiro

Cruzeiro have reached a verbal agreement to sign Jose Cifuentes from Rangers on loan. Cifuentes picked Cruzeiro project over two proposals in Europe as he wants to be regular starter, preparing for Copa America. A deal is almost done, to be signed soon.

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace will be one to watch this summer as top clubs hover for their star players…

Everton

Absolute scenes at Goodison Park as Everton snatched a late, late equaliser against Spurs! FT Everton 2-2 Tottenham [Pictures from TNT Sports]

FC Seoul

Jesse Lingard has received a formal proposal from FC Seoul: a two year deal is confirmed and ready. The former Manchester United man is prepared to travel to South Korea early next week in order to visit the club and then complete the move. Here we go to follow soon.
Who else was interested in Lingard and why did he turn them down? Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive insight in his latest column here.

Frosinone

Frosinone director Angelozzi on Al Ittihad bid for Matias Soule: “Yes, the proposal was there and it was a huge one. Soule decided to reject and continue here as he’s not looking for money, he’s serious guy.”

Fulham

There’s no buy option clause included in the Carlos Vinicius deal between Galatasaray and Fulham. Gala have paid a €600k loan fee to Fulham and €600k as salary coverage to Vinicius. He will return to Fulham at the end of the season.

Inter Milan

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis confirms: “Zielinski has been excluded from UCL list as he will leave the club in July, he’s not signing new deal”. Inter are on it to complete the agreement and sign Zielinski as free agent.

Liverpool