🚨 TRUTH about Chelsea star's future, Frank's Toney bombshell, Arsenal winger leaving, plus latest ins and outs at Liverpool & Man Utd and much more
Today's round-up, featuring Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Man Utd and more!
Good morning everyone! Welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing, delivered ad-free and straight to your inbox as always. Enjoy! :-)
Today’s top stories:
Enzo Fernandez scored a beauty last night - plus updates on his future
What’s really going on with Virgil van Dijk’s Liverpool future?
Arsenal
More here from Fabrizio Romano on Ivan Toney’s asking price for the summer.
Fluminense have agreed on loan deal to sign Marquinhos from Arsenal. A verbal pact is in place to be completed in the coming days. Marquinhos has already accepted, just waiting on final formal steps.
Further details from Fabrizio Romano on Marquinhos’ future in his column here.
The option to extend Jorginho’s contract by one more year is still valid and it will be available until the end of the season for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta is really happy with the former Chelsea midfielder’s performances.
Barcelona
Barca director Deco reveals: “We will extend Lamine Yamal’s contract as soon as he turns 18. We have already made an effort with him last summer, Lamine has three more years on his contract and when he turns 18, we will get the new deal done.”
Deco has also discussed Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo and their possible permanent moves…
Bayern Munich
What’s the truth on Leroy Sane’s Bayern future? Fabrizio Romano’s latest info in his exclusive column here.
Napoli president De Laurentiis: “The real fee we received from Bayern for Kim Min-jae is €42m, not €57m as reported on some media. We knew that he was going to leave the club last summer, it was clear.”
Brentford
Brentford manager Thomas Frank: “Ivan Toney will most likely be sold in the summer. He’ll only have a year left on contract with us, so it’s quite obvious. This winter, we actually had NO bids for him.”
What does this mean for Ivan Toney’s asking price this summer? Fabrizio Romano takes a look in his exclusive column here.
Antonio Nusa did new scans with Norwegian medical team and it confirms Club Brugge analysis that Nusa is medically 100% fit. There are no issues for his playing availability or future overall fitness were withheld during the tests. The deal with Brentford remains under discussion.
Brighton
Ibrahim Osman has signed his contract as a new Brighton player, it’s done and sealed. Nordsjaelland will receive a €19.5m fixed fee plus €3m in add-ons. The deal will also include a 10% sell-on clause. His contract will be valid until June 2029. He was really close to joining West Ham but he’s now set for Brighton in the summer.
Chelsea
What a free-kick this was by Enzo Fernandez to get Chelsea back to winning ways! FT Aston Villa 1-3 Chelsea [Pictures from Emirates FA Cup]
Mauricio Pochettino: “It’s a tough job. It’s a difficult job here at Chelsea. But at the same time, it’s an exciting project. Knowing it’s difficult, in this type of moment we are living in a situation that is not nice, we can learn. It’s a good opportunity to learn.”
Pochettino speaking after the Villa game: “Tonight we were united. We fight for each other. We fight for our fans. We fight for the badge. We fight for the coaching staff. All together. This was maybe the best performance of the season for us.”
Enzo Fernandez’s agent: “Rumours about Enzo planning to leave Chelsea are NOT true. Enzo has no intention of leaving. The leaders were very clear with this project. When the pieces of team fit together well, Chelsea will move forward. Enzo’s desire is to stay at Chelsea and win trophies. We didn’t discuss with any other club, it’s not true. For sure he’d love to see Chelsea in different position but this is something that will happen with hard work.”
More here from Fabrizio Romano on Enzo Fernandez’s Chelsea future.
Pochettino on Thiago Silva being benched for the Villa game: “I always pick my players based on performance and balance. That’s it.”
Chelsea are eyeing up FOUR centre-back targets to potentially replace Thiago Silva…
Inter Milan
Inter director Piero Ausilio confirms: “It’s true, we’re working on both Taremi and Zielinski deals as free agents. We have informed FC Porto and Napoli about the negotiations ongoing with the players. We are in contact with both, let’s see if we can get the deals done.”
Ausilio on a new Inter deal for Lautaro Martinez: “I’m sure we will reach an agreement as we both want to continue together. It’s just about being patient.”
Ivory Coast
Sebastien Haller scored as Ivory Coast booked their place in the final of AFCON! FT Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo [Pictures from BBC Sport]
Juventus
Juventus have a strong interest in this Serie A midfielder - more info here.
Will Dusan Vlahovic’s contract situation with Juve be resolved?
Liverpool
What to make of Virgil van Dijk’s Liverpool future after his recent quotes? Neil Jones takes a look here.
Leroy Sane has been linked again with Liverpool - insight and analysis from Fabrizio Romano here.
Manchester United
Christian Eriksen has been linked with a move away, but what’s the truth? Fabrizio Romano takes a look in his exclusive column.
Is this the reason Jadon Sancho will never play for Man United again?
Napoli
Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis on new deal for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: “We met with his agents three months ago, I offered to extend the contract. The answer from his camp was: don’t worry, we’re happy here - let’s speak at the end of the season.”
Napoli president De Laurentiis: “We included Hamed Traore in UCL list as we need to test him - there’s huge buy option clause into loan deal from Bournemouth, we will decide in May.” The buy option from Bournemouth is worth €25m.
Napoli president De Laurentiis: “The real fee we received from Bayern for Kim Min-jae is €42m, not €57m as reported on some media. We knew that he was going to leave the club last summer, it was clear.”
Nigeria
Kelechi Iheanacho scored the winning penalty as Nigeria edged past South Africa in a shoot-out to reach the AFCON final! FT Nigeria 1-1 South Africa, 4-2 on pens [Pictures from BBC Sport]
PSG
Kylian Mbappe with a clinical finish to make it 30 goals for the season for him already! FT PSG 3-1 Brest [Pictures from Fox Sports]
River Plate
Argentinian gem Franco Mastantuono has scored his first professional goal to become the youngest goalscorer in River Plate’s history. 16 years, 177 days. Better than Javier Saviola at 16 years and 311 days. Remember the name - special, top talent.
Salernitana
Salernitana are set to sign Kostas Manolas on a free transfer. A deal is agreed and being sealed today with medical tests booked. Manolas will join Jerome Boateng at Salernitana with Filippo Inzaghi as the head coach. the contract is valid until June 2024.
Seoul FC
Jesse Lingard has just signed in as a new FC Seoul player. Deal confirmed, and set to be announced soon. Lingard’s medical tests were completed yesterday, now all the documents are signed and it’s time to unveil the former Manchester United player as a new signing.
Tottenham
Tottenham have been linked with this Dutch talent - more info from Fabrizio Romano here.
Meanwhile, this Spurs star could be close to leaving for a move to Turkey…
Trabzonspor
Trabzonspor have officially confirmed the Thomas Meunier deal - he joins the Turkish club from Borussia Dortmund as previously revealed.