🚨 Haaland hits FIVE, Neves on Arsenal talks, Bayern's plans for Tel & Davies, Chelsea may need player sales, Man Utd manager speculation, and more
Today's round-up, featuring Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea and much more!
Good morning everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing - thanks for reading and hope you enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Plus more from Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid
Arsenal
Rio Ferdinand has stated his view that Mikel Arteta would leave Arsenal to take the Manchester United job - here’s Fabrizio Romano’s response.
Ruben Neves reveals: “Last summer I’ve been close to joining three European clubs, then it didn’t happen. Barcelona was something really concrete. It was very close. To be honest, it was the same for Arsenal deal; it was very advanced then collapsed.”
Precisely how advanced did things get with Neves and Arsenal? Fabrizio Romano has the details in his exclusive column.
Will this Serie A talent be heading to Arsenal or not?
Barcelona
Ruben Neves reveals: “Last summer I’ve been close to joining three European clubs, then it didn’t happen. Barcelona was something really concrete. It was very close. To be honest, it was the same for Arsenal deal; it was very advanced then collapsed.”
Precisely how advanced did things get with Neves and Barca? Fabrizio Romano has the details in his exclusive column.
Saudi clubs are eyeing these Barcelona stars in the summer transfer window…
Bayern Munich
Bayern director Christoph Freund on next head coach: “These are candidates who are under contract at other clubs… and candidates who are free. We have to find the right manager for Bayern and the right players for Bayern.”
Bayern director Max Eberl confirms: “Mathys Tel is one of the talents we trust and we want him to develop here at FC Bayern.”
New Bayern director Eberl reveals: “I wanted to bring Xabi Alonso to Borussia ‘Gladbach, it was three years ago…He told me: I’m sorry but no thanks, it’s too early. I need more experience. It was impressive by Xabi, but… no comment on current situation.”
Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen on Alphonso Davies contract due to expire in 2025: “We are in talks with his agent”. “We will see how complicated this will be, Max Eberl will be involved and we will see”.
Latest on Bayern’s plans for Davies and Tel in Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Bayern director Eberl on Joshua Kimmich: “Joshua’s had an incredible career path. He has mentality and quality. Now he’s maybe in a bit of a dark side. Joshua has a contract until 2025. I’m looking forward to the conversations with the players.”
Eberl: “We need to promote players like Musiala and Tel. Look at Real Madrid, they integrated Camavinga and Tchouameni in a midfield with Kroos and Modric…We need this kind of coach, ready to work with these kind of players.”
Brighton
Bad news for Brighton as Kaoru Mitoma could be out until the end of the season. “It's an important problem. He could be out for two or three months and his season is expected to be finished,” said Roberto de Zerbi.
Chelsea
Omari Hutchinson is doing great on loan from Chelsea at Ipswich Town. Several European clubs are monitoring his progress, Chelsea are in control of the situation as it was perfect loan for the young winger, who has a total of 11 goals and assists this season.
Do Chelsea *need* to sell this summer and could Hutchinson be one name on the way out?
Christopher Nkunku is undergoing a medical assessment: “We need to evaluate him (Nkunku) every day. At the moment, he could be maybe three or four weeks out. We hope no more,” said Mauricio Pochettino at yesterday’s press conference.
Pochettino: “The owners showed support to me after the final. Todd Boehly also sent me a nice message. After the final, during the night, I met Behdad and we were talking. We were sharing our opinions of the game and the opportunity we missed.”
Pochettino: “We never set the team up to go for penalties. Come on. We tried to win in 90 minutes or extra-time. Before extra-time and at half-time in extra-time, we said: come on, we need to go and win.”
Pochettino reveals: “When I went up the steps at Wembley, I was so upset. Nearly crying. When I arrived there, it was so difficult to stop myself...But I immediately felt support from the owners, they have been very nice. I appreciated that.”
Leicester City
Abdul Fatawu scored a superb winner as Championship side Leicester beat Bournemouth in the FA Cup. FT Bournemouth 0-1 Leicester [Pictures from Emirates FA Cup]
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp: “Ryan Gravenberch has sustained an ankle ligament injury. He’s expected to miss next two games at least.”
This Liverpool star is a surprise target for Bayern Munich…
Pep Lijnders to leave Liverpool to join this European giant?
Klopp on Thiago Alcantara still not available: “I don’t know, a couple of things he has to do from a medical point of view... I don’t know if it will mean he can play again this season. Can’t say more about it.”
Klopp on Gary Neville calling Chelsea ‘bottlers’: “They didn’t deserve to get all the blame. They played a really good game. That’s why this ‘bottling’ thing is really not mine. I really don’t understand it. I saw in the faces of the players and Poch after the game that it felt horrible.”
Luton Town
While it was far from a good night for Luton, this was a superbly worked goal by Jordan Clark. FT Luton 2-6 Man City [Pictures from Emirates FA Cup]
Manchester City
Erling Haaland scored FIVE against Luton Town last night as Man City eased into the next round of the FA Cup. FT Luton 2-6 Man City [Pictures from Emirates FA Cup]
Jack Grealish’s Man City future has seemed in some doubt, but what’s the truth? Fabrizio Romano takes a look in his latest column.
Erling Haaland on his link up with Kevin De Bruyne: “It’s coming, we’re coming... We are ready to attack!”
Pep Guardiola on Carabao Cup: “I still remember when I arrived at City, Brian Kidd told me: Carabao Cup, don’t pay attention! Play young players, nobody cares… Sir Alex Ferguson was always, eugh it doesn’t matter. Phwoar, I don’t know what happened in the last years!”
Manchester United
Rio Ferdinand has stated his view that Mikel Arteta would leave Arsenal to take the Manchester United job - here’s Fabrizio Romano’s response.
Roberto De Zerbi to Man Utd reports have also emerged - Fabrizio Romano addresses the story in his column.
Erik ten Hag on talks with Sir Dave Brailsford talks: “About future? I know the future...But also, I have to look at today and we have to work on the team’s development and progress and, of course, to win every game.”
Ten Hag: “Antony will fight back and I back him. I know from the past he is unstoppable, no defender can stop him because he's one of the quickest in the first 10 yards. Antony now has to wait for his chance, and once he is there, he has to pick up.”
Ten Hag: “Omari Forson came on and it’s not easy to come in a game because we didn’t play our best game. He showed abilities that he can be a player for the future.”
Ten Hag confirms Harry Maguire will not be available for game vs Nottingham Forest, and he added: “Raphael Varane and Bruno Fernandes are doubts.”
PSG
Sources close to PSG firmly deny that the Emir of Qatar will make new proposal to convince Kylian Mbappe. Today’s meeting won’t be about future as Mbappe has already been clear with PSG; he’s informed them about leaving the club, already in advanced talks with Real Madrid.
More on Mbappe’s future and a possible U-turn here.
Real Madrid
Sources close to PSG firmly deny that the Emir of Qatar will make new proposal to convince Kylian Mbappe. Today’s meeting won’t be about future as Mbappe has already been clear with PSG; he’s informed them about leaving the club, already in advanced talks with Real Madrid.
More on Mbappe’s future and a possible U-turn here.
La Liga president Javier Tebas: “I have the feeling that Kylian Mbappe has signed for Real Madrid.”
Bayern new director Eberl on Alphonso Davies and Real Madrid: “No club wants to lose players for free… of course”. “We already had discussions with his agent, so I will now try to continue the conversation. I have to see how the situation is”.
