🚨 Wilcox is Man United bound, Iñigo's anger, Pep tips Liverpool, Ipswich back on top, Moyes defends Phillips and much more
Today's round-up, featuring Man United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and much more!
Good morning everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks, as always, for reading and for signing up to this newsletter. Enjoy! :-)
Today’s top stories:
Plus more on AC Milan, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur
AC Milan
Youssouf Fofana has been linked with a move to Milan this summer, and Matteo Moretto has the latest on the speculation.
Two Milan players up for contract extensions [Calciomercato]
Arsenal
Martin Zubimendi remains on Arsenal’s list and he was at the top of Bayern’s list in case Xabi Alonso became their new coach. Bayern still appreciate Zubimendi as one of the targets but the final decision will be up to next manager. All quiet with regards to Barça at present.
Arsenal ready to pounce for £55m-rated Barcelona star [Sport]
Barcelona
Iñigo Martinez was none too happy at the abuse received from supporters as he drove away from a training session, so he got out of his car and left them in no doubt as to his position and feelings [pictures via Fabrizio Romano Twitter account]:
Marcos Alonso will leave Barcelona as a free agent at the end of the current season. Massive respect between club and player but he’s leaving in June, decision made. Sergi Roberto could also leave for free but final decision will also depend on Xavi’s future.
Two more Barcelona players are set to leave the club this summer too, and Matteo Moretto has the exclusive details.
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!
Bayern Munich
Alexander Nübel on his future: "I still have another year on my contract with Bayern, but I feel very comfortable in Stuttgart. We'll talk, staying in Stuttgart is definitely a very, very good option. I can say that so openly."
Brighton and Hove Albion
Roberto de Zerbi has a release clause in his contract at Brighton and it’s around £12/13m, only valid in the summer. De Zerbi wants to discuss plans with the Brighton board to decide his future. Internal talks still ongoing at Bayern. NO concrete talks with Liverpool so far.
Championship round-up
Leicester City v Norwich City (3-1): Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Stephy Mavididi and Jamie Vardy did the damage for the hosts, securing the win after Gabriel Sara had given the visitors the lead. Vardy’s goal came in injury time [pictures from RMC Sport]:
Plymouth Argyle v Bristol City (0-1): Nahki Wells bagged the only goal for Bristol City against a Plymouth side that saw Alfie Devine given a straight red on 78.
Birmingham v Preston (1-0): Jay Stansfield was the match winner with a goal in the 68th minute of a drab affair.
Rotherham v Millwall (2-1): Bottom club Rotherham got the win thanks to a late Charlie Wyke effort. Sebastian Revan had given the hosts a 71st-minute lead which was cancelled out by Ryan Longman on 78, before Wyke’s late intervention.
West Brom v Watford (2-2): The points were shared at the Hawthorns with the Hornets stung after leading two-nil through Edo Kayembe and Mileta Rajović. The Baggies had the home crowd bouncing after Brandon Thomas-Asante pulled one back, and Darnell Furlong equalised in injury time.
Sunderland v Blackburn (1-5): No luck for the Black Cats on this occasion. Chris Rigg bagged a late consolation, but they were no match for a Blackburn side who eased to victory through goals from Sammie Szmodics, Ryan Hedges, Tyrhys Dolan and Andrew Moran.
Middlesbrough v Sheffield Wednesday (2-0): Michael Ihiekwe and Isaiah Jones were the scorers in a match that Boro dominated.
Swansea v QPR (0-1): Steve Cook’s second half winner brought the West Londoners to within a point of their opponents.
Stoke City v Huddersfield (1-1): Two goals in the space of five minutes settled this one, with Huddersfield’s Bojan Radulovic opening the scoring on 45 minutes and Ki-Jana Hoever equalising on 50.
Coventry City v Cardiff City (1-2): An afternoon that Coventry’s Liam Kitching will never forget, his two own goals on 29 and 67 handing Cardiff the win and making Ellis Simms’ 22nd-minute strike incidental.
Ipswich Town v Southampton (3-2): Ipswich went back to the top of the table thanks to an incredible win at Portman Road. Leif Davis had given them the lead before Che Adams equalised for Southampton within a minute. Adam Armstrong then gave the visitors a half-time lead. Nathan Broadhead made it 2-2 on 68 before Jeremy Sarmiento won it for Ipswich with 13 seconds of the game left [pictures from beIN Sports]:
Leeds United v Hull City (3-1): It was a late, late show too from Leeds at Elland Road, and the win puts them in second, a point behind Ipswich and a point ahead of Leicester - who have a game in hand on the top two. Just two points separate all three teams. Sam Byram opened the scoring for Leeds before Fabio Carvalho equalised for Hull. It wasn’t until the 88th minute before Crysencio Summerville scored a penalty to give Daniel Farke’s side the lead, with Daniel James sending the locals wild with a third from 40 yards on 97 minutes [pictures from beIN Sports]:
Chelsea
Chelsea are currently not planning for a Benoit Badiashile exit in the summer. Trevoh Chalobah could be on the move, that is the expectation; no plans on Badiashile so far. Chelsea already rejected approaches from Italian clubs for Badiashile last January.
Si Phillips discusses what Chelsea need to do on and off the pitch next season to be successful.
Manchester City
Jack Grealish: “I always wonder: why do the opposition fans boo me? My mum always asks about it as well but I don’t actually know. At every away ground I go to, I get booed and I’m not entirely sure why. I just try take it as a positive or a compliment.”
Manchester City star at risk of two-game suspension [CaughtOffside]
Pep Guardiola has made Liverpool the favourites for the Premier League title [pictures from Sky Sports]:
Manchester United
What’s the truth concerning Manchester United’s pursuit of Jhon Lucumi? Matteo Moretto has an exclusive update.
Jason Wilcox has resigned from Southampton as he’s set to join Manchester United as their new technical director. Southampton have refused to accept the fee so Wilcox will resign as he wants to join the Man United project. Former Man City Head of Academy will be key part of Man United’s new era.
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Newcastle United
Eddie Howe on Alexander Isak’s future: “He's an outstanding talent and no one here at the club would want to lose him in the summer. He is different. Although he's been out injured, he's very good so I hope for really big things, just as long as he can stay fit.”
Fabrizio Romano has some bad news relating to another Newcastle ace.
Real Madrid
Ancelotti on Guardiola's comments about the schedule: "This is football, I'm happy with nine days to prepare for the City game. We have a small advantage yes... but this won't influence the game. We have time to prepare for the game and we'll do our best."
Real Madrid never considered an option to loan Endrick to Palmeiras or elsewhere until December, not even sending him to Castilla. Endrick will play for Real Madrid’s first team from July 1, as agreed when he signed for the club in December 2022.
Ancelotti: "Eder Militão is one of the best in the world. Of course, he needs time to get his form back but it's important to have him back."
Real Madrid star attracting interest from Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United [Cadena SER]
Slavia Prague
Mohammed Ihattaren leaves Slavia Praga just 4 months after signing for the club. Slavia and Ihattaren part ways after zero minutes played.
Tottenham Hotspur
Ange Postecoglou turned the tables on one reporter when asked a question about whether he felt that Man United could catch Tottenham during the last few games of the season [pictures from Hayters]:
Spurs have not decided what they will do about Timo Werner’s buy option clause. Ange Postecoglou confirmed: “The decisions will be made at the appropriate time. In my opinion, he’s been a great signing. He's been really important part of our structure.”
“We heard many things” - Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive update on Tottenham target Ivan Toney.
West Ham United
David Moyes: “Kalvin Phillips is a human being, what he needs is support and people to help him. We will support Kalvin. He's a really good player and I believe we can still make something out of the time we've got with him here.”
West Ham favourites to sign Arsenal and Chelsea transfer target [Football Insider]