🚨 Arsenal's REACTION to Ben White saga, Liverpool like Bayern sensation, Man Utd star heading for free transfer, Chelsea ace's contract situation, & more
Today's round-up, featuring Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man United, and much more!
Good morning! Welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thank you for reading and hope you enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
One Man Utd star is set to leave for free, but this big name is staying
What do Arsenal make of the situation with Ben White and England?
Liverpool like Jamal Musiala, says Neil Jones in his exclusive column
Plus more from Chelsea, Man City and Real Madrid
Arsenal
Ben White ruled himself out of England duty, so how have Arsenal responded to what’s taken place? Fabrizio Romano takes a look in his exclusive column.
Adrien Rabiot to Arsenal rumours have emerged, and it’s true that the Juventus midfielder has long been tempted by the prospect of playing in the Premier League.
Arsenal have confirmed that Takehiro Tomiyasu has signed a new deal at the club. The agreement is valid until June 2026 with option to extend for further year.
Tomiyasu on his contract: “I am so happy to extend my contract because Arsenal is the best club in the world. It’s a dream to play for this club, so I’m happy. When I'm on the pitch I feel the love and energy from the supporters. We are connected a lot so I want to give them something back. I am playing for Arsenal, and this means I’m playing for the Arsenal supporters. That’s why I dedicate my life to this club and the supporters.”
Arsenal director Edu said: “We are very excited to have Tomi with us for more years to come. He has huge qualities both on and off the pitch, and offers so much strength and versatility to our squad. Tomi is a top professional and it’s great that he’ll continue to play an important role in the coming years, as we work towards achieving our goals.”
Mikel Arteta was also full of praise for Tomiyasu, saying: “We are so pleased to have Tomi commit his future with us. Together with his natural ability and strength, Tomi’s attitude, mentality and values are first-class. Tomi is loved by everyone and has been an integral part of the squad since joining us.”
Be the first to read EXCLUSIVE NEWS ARTICLES from me, Fabrizio Romano, Christian Falk, Neil Jones, Ben Jacobs, Jonathan Johnson, Charles Watts and Matteo Moretto!
Barcelona
Has the time come for Barcelona to sell Raphinha?
Barcelona director Deco on new head coach: “Obviously you can appreciate top managers like Guardiola, Klopp and Arteta but they’re not available. There’s no talk at all with them and it’s pointless to mention them. We’re not speaking to any manager.”
Deco: “I really like Luis Enrique. He’s a reference, a top person and top coach. He’s able to manage important groups, he’s a really TOP coach.”
Deco on Ronald Araujo’s situation: “Ronald Araujo’s contract? Araujo will sign new deal, if he wants. We will make an effort because he deserves that. Our effort as club is to keep the best players we have.”
Deco: “We’d like to keep both Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo here if there will be the right conditions with Atletico and Man City. It depends on conditions of the deal.”
Good news for Joao Cancelo, as he can regularly return to football activity. His relative has been diagnosed with a heart problem and Barca medical staff have subjected him to tests to rule out that it’s hereditary. All good now; Cancelo will be back after missing the team’s last game.
Bayern Munich
Bayern’s Uli Hoeness on Xabi Alonso as their priority manager target: “Xabi has proven that he can be a coach for the really big teams. It will be much more difficult because clubs like Liverpool, Real Madrid, Leverkusen and also FC Bayern are working on.”
Bayern director Max Eberl: “We’ll have financial chances in the summer, but not limitless. New signings include sales in order to have the financial means to do something. We can’t make transfers like Kane every summer. We need 14/15 top players.”
Would Jose Mourinho be in the category of ‘crazy ideas’ for Bayern? Director Max Eberl: “Of course we’re also looking into coaches who are currently available. Jose learning German? I don’t know!”
Eberl: “Jamal Musiala’s contract extension is a big goal for the club, it's crucial. There can be no other option for us. We want young top players like Musiala, Tel, Pavlovic and the others. But also experienced players are needed.”
Jamal Musiala is a player Liverpool like, sources have confirmed to Neil Jones.
Eberl on Leroy Sane’s current contract being due to expire in June 2025: “We have to decide with him: what are his plans for the future? Does he have the desire to go into the future with us? In general, it’s always about a commitment to the club.”
Eberl on Leon Goretzka situation: “I always try to talk to the player and we have known each other for a long time. I already wanted to bring him from Bochum to Gladbach. We have a good basis of trust. For us he is an important player.”
Bayern CEO Dreesen said “never rule anything out in football” when asked about Julian Nagelsmann’s return. Nagelsmann: “Jan-Christian Dreesen’s answer is clever. Never ruling things out is part of football”.
Bayern new signing Sacha Boey has sustained “muscle tear in his left hamstring in training”, club confirms. “Boey will be sidelined for the coming weeks.”
Manuel Neuer suffered a muscle strain in his left adductor during the national team’s training. Neuer will therefore return to Munich as he’s leaving the national team camp.
Manuel Neuer will undergo tests in Munich to understand more about his injury. Nagelsmann: “Neuer is out for the two games [France and the Netherlands] and maybe also for Bayern vs Dortmund… but that’s not my job. It’s very annoying.”
Chelsea
Despite reports to the contrary, Conor Gallagher is not understood to have made any unreasonable salary demands to Chelsea as a new contract remains unresolved. More info in Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column here.
Antonio Conte back to Chelsea? Fabrizio Romano takes a look at some surprise speculation about the Italian tactician.
England v Brazil Tickets
England take on Brazil on Saturday in what promises to be an exciting friendly at Wembley and tickets are still available for this unmissable clash against the five-time World Cup winners. You can pick from a range of available seats by clicking here.
Juventus
Fabrizio Romano has the latest on Adrien Rabiot’s Juventus future.
Antonio Conte back to Juventus? Latest from Fabrizio Romano in his column here.
Dean Huijsen: “I’m gonna return to Juventus and then I want to stay at the club. ”Huijsen signed a new deal until June 2028 before leaving to join Roma on loan this season.
Liverpool
Jamal Musiala is a player Liverpool like, sources have confirmed to Neil Jones.
Pep Lijnders to take over from Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager? Neil Jones takes a look at this story in his exclusive column.
Are these two Liverpool players unlucky to be overlooked for an England call-up?
Liverpool have confirmed that Richard Hughes will be joining on June 1 as their new sporting director, as expected. “I am incredibly proud to be offered this opportunity. Liverpool is a unique club and I’m grateful to be given a chance to serve it in this capacity,” Hughes said.
Michael Edwards on Richard Hughes as part of the Liverpool project: “I trust him completely. He has outstanding judgement and a track record of making smart decisions. He’s the right person to make the key decisions, offer the leadership to take us forward into a bright future.”
Conor Bradley: “It still gives me goosebumps to put on the Liverpool shirt. I was putting it on for years beforehand just watching games. To now be putting it on and playing games is special.”
Manchester City
Manchester City have completed a deal to sign 15 year old talented winger Timeo Whisker, it’s all done with Cardiff City. Three more top Premier League clubs wanted the player. but the deal is now done with City.
Gerard Pique has hailed Pep Guardiola as the best manager ever: “He’s a genius and he’s obsessed with football …He knows how to motivate the team in every situation.”
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Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes: “I want to stay here. I want to be part of a project. I’ve already had a meeting with the new owners. They want to meet with the players and have already done so individually.”
Despite Saudi links, Bruno Fernandes has always been happy to stay at Manchester United - more details here from Fabrizio Romano.
Anthony Martial, however, is expected to leave Manchester United on a free this summer, though he’s previously rejected one move…
PSG
Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid is getting closer as final details are being sorted out before he signs his contract - more info from Fabrizio Romano here.
Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid is getting closer as final details are being sorted out before he signs his contract - more info from Fabrizio Romano here.
Joselu: “I hope to stay at Real Madrid on permanent deal and no longer on loan.” Real Madrid have a €1.5m buy option clause in his loan deal contract.
Real Madrid official statement: “Thibaut Courtois underwent successful surgery today for a tear in the internal meniscus of his right knee. Courtois will begin his recovery process in the coming days.”
Tottenham
Richarlison: “The mental aspect is super important for a player. I have sessions every week with my psychologist, she's been helping me. Players should understand that psychologist can be really important, it really helps on the pitch.”
Spurs have confirmed that Manor Solomon underwent minor surgery to his meniscus on his right knee on Tuesday.
Wolves
Wolves have completed the signing of 16-year-old talent Matheus Mane from Rochdale for their Academy. From Non-league to Premier League, Wolves have completed the deal and it’s all signed.