🚨 New FA charge for Tonali, Nwaneri signs first Arsenal pro deal, more injury woe for Chelsea, Alonso set for Leverkusen stay and more
Today's round-up, featuring Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal and much more!
Good morning everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing - thanks for reading, and enjoy! :-)
Today’s top stories:
Plus more from Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United
Arsenal
Arsenal gem Ethan Nwaneri has signed his first professional deal at the club. Huge news as the Gunners have been able to keep one of the best young talents around. “I didn’t have to think about it - this is my family and it feels like home here,” he said. He turned down three important proposals to stay at Arsenal and sign his first pro deal.
Arsenal interested in 26-year-old former player [Calciomercato]
Ajax
John van ‘t Schip will not continue as Ajax manager next season, decision confirmed. Ajax already have a shortlist with four candidates to be the new head coach. “I’d like to contribute in the future but with a different role,” van ‘t Schip said.
Bayer Leverkusen
Xabi Alonso is expected to continue at Bayer Leverkusen for one more season. No formal communication to the club yet but there appears to be a clear plan. In 2025, the release clause in his contract will become active. Xabi will make and announce his final decision soon.
Bayern Munich
Bayern’s Uli Hoeneß: “I feel that it will be very difficult to sign Xabi Alonso, not to say probably impossible. I can certainly imagine him staying at Bayer Leverkusen to continue his job.”
Alphonso Davies’ agent Huoseh: “It’s unfair to receive an ultimatum from Bayern. We will decide how to proceed at the end of the season when there is more clarity. It's unfair that Alphonso is now being attacked. We were close to an agreement a year ago. Then the entire club management was replaced. We didn't hear anything for seven months, although I tried during this time to contact the club myself. Now we are being given an ultimatum and are supposed to react within two weeks because the club is under pressure and took a long time to reposition itself in the management? That's not fair. It’s a very important contract in Alphonso's career and we're supposed to make the decision without knowing who the coach will be next season or what the team looks like. That's why we think it's unfair to react to the ultimatum.”
Alphonso Davies won’t sign a new deal at Bayern now, and Real Madrid are aware of the situation. Decision will be made in the next few weeks but it’s a tense situation. If no extension is agreed, Davies will leave this summer and Real are prepared to open talks with Bayern.
Benfica
Roger Schmidt: “I spoke to Kökçü and he didn’t want to create negativity. I remain convinced about his skills and his mentality. That interview wasn’t good at all for Benfica but he made a mistake, he remains one of our players and I want him to do his best on the pitch.”
Chelsea
What’s the truth regarding Chelsea being interested in Bradley Locko? Jonathan Johnson with the scoop.
Si Phillips and the SPTC crew debate Chelsea’s current injury crisis in an extensive podcast chat.
Trevoh Chalobah and Robert Sánchez have been added to Chelsea’s injury list.
Plan in place for Todd Boehly to be removed as Chelsea chairman [Daily Mail]
Pochettino: “Roméo Lavia is sad, it’s a really difficult situation. He's only played 30 minutes since joining us. When the club signed him he arrived with problems from Southampton, and then when he was ready he suffered a problem in his feet.”
Pochettino when asked about Raheem Sterling being booed: “We can’t create bigger things that were emotional at some point, we need to use our experience. I really believe our fans love our players and they are going to support us. It’s time to convince the fans we’re in a very good way.”
Mauricio Pochettino didn’t appear too happy that Ben Chilwell had returned from England duty with a knock either [pictures from Hayters]:
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!
England
Southgate on Kobbie Mainoo: “We saw there was that fearlessness to come in and the technical ability to receive, when pressed, to find a pass to manipulate the ball in tight areas. It gives us a profile of player we haven't got. That's hugely exciting.”
Everton
Everton scouting two top talents hailing from South America [Radio Itatiaia]
Everton boss Sean Dyche attempted to play down reports of a 'skirmish' between himself and Nathan Patterson during a warm-weather training camp in Portugal [pictures from Sky Sports]:
Fulham
João Palhinha: “In July I had received an excellent offer from West Ham and had a conversation with Fulham’s owner, who committed himself to renewing my contract. I took it as a vote of confidence. I never expected that Bayern would come for me in final week.”
Fulham are going to have a swimming pool installed at Craven Cottage! The club have released images of their new Sky Deck, due to be completed in December [pictures from Sky Sports]:
Genoa
Genoa anticipate important bids for Albert Gudmundsson this summer after an excellent season but haven’t started concrete talks with any club yet. Price tag expected to be around €25/30m and Genoa could also be open to include players in the deal.
Everton have the edge over Wolves for Genoa defender De Winter [Tuttomercatoweb]
Juventus
The formal release clause to pay and sign Gleison Bremer will be valid starting from summer 2025. For summer 2024, there’s a verbal pact to consider bids for the same amount… but with the final decision up to Juventus. The amount of the clause is variable: €60/70m.
Juventus duo ruled out of Lazio clash [Football Italia]
Liverpool
Liverpool won’t wait anymore for Xabi Alonso, with Ruben Amorim an option already discussed internally - but not the only one. Bayern are prepared to wait until Xabi makes an official decision, but he’s expected to stay at Leverkusen until June 2025.
It’s been rumoured that Luis Díaz is wanted by PSG, and French football expert Jonathan Johnson has an exclusive deep dive into the current situation involving the Colombian.
Trent Alexander-Arnold sets Liverpool return date [The Athletic]
Manchester City
Manchester City confirm deal done for 2008 born full-back Jayden Lienou as a new talent for the Academy.
Manchester City ace makes surprise retirement announcement [Sky Sports]
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Manchester United
Anthony Martial is expected to leave Manchester United this summer, and French football expert, Jonathan Johnson takes a good look at his potential suitors.
Manchester United enter race for Spain international [Daily Mail]
Newcastle United
Official: Sandro Tonali has now been charged by the FA with 50 offences of placing bets earlier this season. It happened between August 12, 2023 and October 12, 2023. Tonali was already banned for 10 months for betting offences whilst in Italy.
Newcastle showing interest in Leeds United youngster [talkSPORT]
Nice
Jean-Clair Todibo will be valued by Nice at around £40m for the summer transfer window. He was already on Man United’s list since last summer but more clubs in the Premier League and elsewhere keep monitoring him. The French international and Nice vice captain could be on the move.
Palmeiras
After scoring at Wembley and Santiago Bernabéu, Endrick completed the perfect week with… one more goal. Palmeiras, now in Paulista final. Brasileiro Série A (2022), Brasileiro Série A (2023), Supercopa do Brasil (2023), Campeonato Paulista (2023) … one more?
Real Madrid
Leny Yoro is in high demand but does the youngster want to move to Los Blancos? Jonathan Johnson exclusively reveals what the player’s summer options are.
Xabi Alonso keeps the door open on a Real Madrid move [The Times]
The Debrief Podcast
We take a step back to assess the most critical needs for the top-six clubs and make a few predictions on how they’ll move this summer. Fabrizio Romano joins in his normal slot to give his expectations for Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City in the Summer Transfer Window.