🚨 Arda Guler scores FIRST Real Madrid goal, Man Utd star expected to LEAVE, quality Grimaldo assist, Klopp linked with Germany job, and more
Latest transfer stories and news clips, featuring Liverpool, Man City, Real Madrid and more!
Good morning everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thank you as always for reading, and hope you enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Al Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo: “I am happy to be in Saudi Arabia, absolutely happy. I’m happy to represent Al Nassr and for me our season is positive because we have had a chance until now in all tournaments.”
Atletico Madrid
Mario Hermoso’s future is open as there’s still no agreement to extend his contract with Atletico Madrid. Juventus and Barcelona are currently not working on this deal despite recent links. Hermoso’s contract expires in June and he remains one to watch.
Barcelona
Why did Erling Haaland’s agent meet with Barcelona? Fabrizio Romano takes a look here.
Bayer Leverkusen
Alejandro Grimaldo picked up another quality assist yesterday making it 12 assists and 11 goals this season. Insane signing on a free last summer. FT Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 Wolfsburg [Pictures from Cartao Verde]
Josip Stanisic’s agent Dieter Hoeness: “He’s still under contract until 2026 at Bayern. There’s no clause in his contract, so no option to buy for Leverkusen. Therefore he'll be back to FC Bayern in the summer.”
Bayern Munich
Joshua Kimmich on his future: “My contract is still valid until 2025, I want to show my best for this club and then we will see what happens. For sure I’m happy here, I’m happy with club and city of course.”
Brighton
Roberto de Zerbi: “All people who work in Brighton have to improve from this season. First of all, it is my responsibility. But it is difficult if you have for months five injured players, because we are not used to playing so many games. I am sure the next time Brighton will play in European competition, we will be ready to compete and to organise everything better.”
Burnley
David Datro Fofana has scored three goals in five starts for Burnley since joining them on loan in January. There is no buy option clause included in the loan deal from Chelsea.
Chelsea
Romelu Lukaku’s future remains uncertain - latest details to look out for in this saga in Fabrizio Romano’s column.
This Chelsea transfer exit is just a matter of time, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The latest on the Victor Osimhen to Chelsea transfer saga…
Mauricio Pochettino on Eddie Howe: "I hope one day Chelsea fans will support me the same way Newcastle do with Howe. I say that because I am here, I am the coach of Chelsea and I want to win as much as our fans!"
Pochettino on considering quitting as Chelsea manager: "No, no, no. Why? Never. You need to ask the players. But you can say the way they behave, it's clear they are behind us."
Inter Milan
Inter Milan have injury worries ahead of their game against Atletico Madrid.
Juventus
Adrien Rabiot’s agent has met with Juventus - what’s the latest on the midfielder’s future?
Liverpool
Alexis Mac Allister made no mistake with this well-taken penalty to equalise against Manchester City. FT Liverpool 1-1 Man City [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Fabrizio Romano’s thoughts on the title race after Liverpool’s draw with Manchester City - exclusive column here.
Could Jurgen Klopp be set to take over the German national team for his next job? Fabrizio Romano takes a look in his column here.
Fabio Carvalho has been linked with a permanent transfer to Hull City, but what’s the truth? Fabrizio Romano has the latest info in his column here.
Jurgen Klopp on Jeremy Doku’s challenge on Alexis Mac Allister: “Clear penalty for all football people on this planet. In all positions on the pitch it’s a foul and a yellow card too. He can only hit the ball because his foot is right there. They say: hit the ball. But if the ball is not there he kills him, the foot has nothing to do with it! The referee will find something, all the other as well [to excuse it].”
Manchester City
John Stones finished off this clever Kevin De Bruyne corner to give Manchester City the lead in yesterday’s game. FT Liverpool 1-1 Man City [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Pep Guardiola on Kevin De Bruyne not being happy to be subbed off: “I’m happy to see that! I like it if he’s upset, it’s good. He’s happy now…I knew what we were missing, we missed keeping the ball.”
Fabrizio Romano’s thoughts on the title race after Liverpool’s draw with Manchester City - exclusive column here.
Erling Haaland’s future has been in the headlines again, but what’s really going on?
Manchester United
Mason Greenwood is expected to leave Manchester United this summer - Fabrizio Romano with the latest details here.
Leny Yoro to Manchester United? We could see a three-way battle for the Lille wonderkid’s signature, says Fabrizio Romano in his exclusive column.
Man Utd also face a battle with Premier League rivals to bring this defender to Old Trafford.
Manchester United have been in talks with Kobbie Mainoo's camp over a new deal since the beginning of February. Discussions are taking place about a salary rise, but there’s no rush as Mainoo is happy at United and the club want to have Kobbie as one of the faces of their new project.
PSG
Luis Enrique: “I wish all the best to Kylian Mbappe for his future. He’s fantastic player and even more as a person. I really wish him all the best.”
PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi: “We want to build a team that can really play together for another six to eight years. We have the youngest team in the quarter-finals. We have the youngest team in Europe's top ten clubs. That makes us proud.”
Leny Yoro to PSG? We could see a three-way battle for the Lille wonderkid’s signature, according to Fabrizio Romano.
“Warren, present and future” - PSG fans approve the club’s plan to extend the contract of Warren Zaire-Emery, just matter of time as it’s agreed.
Real Madrid
Arda Guler with his first goal for Real Madrid since joining the club in the summer. FT Real Madrid 4-0 Celta Vigo [Pictures from ViaPlay Sports]
Arda Guler: “I’m very happy to be at Real Madrid. It’s the best club in the world and, although it’s difficult, I believe I have the quality and character to overcome it. It’s been a difficult season so far, but I hope better things come after this goal.”
Brahim Diaz will play for Morocco and not for Spain. The decision has been made and is expected to be made official soon. The Moroccan Federation was informed tonight, it’s been confirmed.
Leny Yoro to Real Madrid? We could see a three-way battle for the Lille wonderkid’s signature, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Roma
What a finish this was by Diego Llorente as Roma snatched a late equaliser! FT Fiorentina 2-2 Roma [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Romelu Lukaku’s future remains uncertain - latest details to look out for in this saga in Fabrizio Romano’s column.
Tottenham
Son Heung-min is now on 159 goals as a Spurs player becoming now the joint-fifth top scorer in Tottenham Hotspur history. A legend of the club. FT Aston Villa 0-4 Tottenham [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Tottenham talent Callum Olusesi is set to sign a pro deal at Spurs on Monday, valid until June 2026. Five European clubs wanted him last summer, Spurs happy with the 2007 born midfielder.