🚨 Saka and Foden light up UCL quarter-finals, "strong" interest in Liverpool star, major developments at Man United, & more
Today's round-up, featuring Champions League news clips, transfer news, and more.
Good morning everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks for reading and hope you enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Saka scores, but should Arsenal have had a penalty in Bayern thriller?
Foden golazo in classic between Man City and Real at the Bernabeu
Amorim the leading candidate for Liverpool manager, plus Salah’s future
AC Milan
Olivier Giroud to LAFC is 98-99% done, according to Fabrizio Romano in his exclusive column.
Could Rafael Leao be following Giroud out of the AC Milan exit door this summer? Fabrizio Romano takes a look at the Leao to Arsenal links in his exclusive column.
Arsenal
Bukayo Saka gave Arsenal a dream start with this superb finish against Bayern! FT Arsenal 2-2 Bayern [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Leandro Trossard later equalised with his 13th goal of the season - the Belgian is always an important player for Mikel Arteta, and it’s worth remembering Arsenal only paid £21m to sign him, plus £5m in add-ons.
Arsenal feel they should’ve had a penalty right at the end of the game, and pundits Martin Keown and Rio Ferdinand couldn’t believe it wasn’t given - what do you think? [Analysis below via TNT Sports]
Gabriel Jesus on Kai Havertz taking his position: “If you see the way he works he’s unbelievable. That’s the price you pay if you want to be in a big club. You have to fight to play. If you are not playing the best thing you have to do is try to help. I never complain.”
Alexander Isak to Arsenal? Fabrizio Romano discusses these links in his latest exclusive column.
Rafael Leao may also be an Arsenal target - more info from Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
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Barcelona
Gavi to PSG stories won’t go away, but what’s the latest on the situation? Fabrizio Romano has the answers in his column.
Will it be easy or difficult to stay at Barca? Joao Felix: “We will see. On the part of president Cerezo I think easy, because he is a wonderful person and I respect him very much. He was always good to me and to my family, and to my mother.”
Xavi: “Ousmane Dembele and I sent each other a message after the draw, we said we would see each other in Paris. I have great respect for him, he decided to join PSG, it was a challenge for him.”
Bayern Munich
A cool penalty from Harry Kane, who has now scored 39 goals and provided 12 assists in 38 games this season! 7 goals, 3 assists in in 9 Champions League games for Bayern. FT Arsenal 2-2 Bayern [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Blow for Bayern as another yellow card for Alphonso Davies means the left-back will miss return leg against Arsenal at the Allianz Arena due to suspension.
Thomas Tuchel: “The referee made a huge mistake, there was a penalty for handball … What makes us really angry is the explanation on the pitch. He told our players it was a ‘kid’s mistake’ and he won’t give a penalty for that in a Champions League quarter-final. It’s a horrible, horrible explanation. Kid’s mistake, adult’s mistake, whatever - we feel angry because it was a huge decision against us.”
See below for the crazy incident that Arsenal got away with! Did the referee bottle this big decision, in your view? [Analysis below from TNT Sports]
Tuchel confirmed another injury blow for Bayern: “Unfortunately, Serge Gnabry will be out again. He felt something and it’s hamstring injury.”
Leroy Sane on contract expiring in 2025: “My future depends on several factors. But I’m not thinking too much about that right now. We are in talks with the club’s officials. It will probably be more intense in the coming weeks. Now, full focus on the game.”
Brighton
Brighton confirm Jack Hinshelwood has signed a new contract that runs until June 2028. Agreement signed and sealed with his agents of CAA Stellar.
Chelsea
Chelsea’s plan for Mauricio Pochettino remains the same - everything you need to know here from Fabrizio Romano’s column.
Ousmane Diomande to Chelsea? Or could he favour another move?
Liverpool
Ruben Amorim remains the leading candidate for Liverpool - Fabrizio Romano has all you need to know in his exclusive column.
Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota and Stefan Bajcetic are all back training for Liverpool. Huge boost for Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool ahead of the crucial final weeks of the season.
Mohamed Salah to Saudi rumours continue, but what’s the truth? Fabrizio Romano has the latest in his exclusive column here.
Could Liverpool face competition for Ruben Amorim from two of their major Premier League rivals?
Liverpool reportedly have three names in mind to replace Mohamed Salah in case he leaves this summer…
Crysencio Summerville has been linked with Liverpool, but Fabrizio Romano expects a big race for his signature…
Manchester City
What a goal by Phil Foden! That’s now 22 goals and 10 assists in all competitions so far in this insane season for Foden, who Pep called a ‘strong contender’ for PL Player of the Season a couple of days ago. FT Real Madrid 3-3 Man City [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Pep Guardiola on Kevin De Bruyne not starting: “He feels unwell. We made a meeting, he was ready, and when we arrived, in the locker room he started to vomit and he said: I’m not ready.”
Manchester United
John Murtough is expected to leave Manchester United this week, likely to be replaced by Dan Ashworth, with Jason Wilcox on his way as new technical director at Old Trafford soon.
What does all this mean for Erik ten Hag? Fabrizio Romano has an exclusive update in his latest column here.
Joselu to Manchester United rumours have surfaced recently, but what does the future really hold for the veteran Spanish striker?
Newcastle United
Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak could be two players to watch, but how many star names will Newcastle be willing to let go?
Negotiations between Joelinton and Newcastle over new deal are progressing well to the final stages. The agreement is close and now considered a matter of final details and then it’s set to be signed. Joelinton is prepared to stay.
More here from Fabrizio Romano on how Newcastle did well to persuade Joelinton as he was open to all other options…
PSG
Luis Enrique on Kylian Mbappe: “You keep asking me if Kylian will play, how’s Kylian… I don’t speak about one single player. I want to speak about the group. We are in good spirit, good moment. It’d a good one to move into UCL quarter finals.”
Gavi to PSG stories won’t go away, but what’s the latest on the situation? Fabrizio Romano has the answers in his column.
Real Madrid
Beautifully-taken finish by Fede Valverde as he bagged an important equaliser in a thrilling tie at the Bernabeu! FT Real Madrid 3-3 Man City [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Fede Valverde: “This draw just feels like a defeat for us, we wanted to win.” Real Madrid have never won at the Etihad Stadium. Return leg on Wednesday next week.
Aurelien Tchouameni will miss the return leg against Manchester City as he will be suspended following his yellow card after 40 seconds. Bellingham, Camavinga and Vini Jr are also one yellow card away from suspension.
Joselu on his future: “Physically I’m in one of my best moments of my career. I’ve just turned 34 but I don’t feel it. Reaching here at 33, 34, is not easy, and I’m not planning to stop now.” Real Madrid have €1.5m buy option clause for Joselu.
Joselu to Manchester United rumours have surfaced recently, but could he stay at Real Madrid permanently?
Sporting Lisbon
Viktor Gyokeres’ agent Hasan Cetinkaya: “It will be difficult for Viktor to stay at Sporting if Ruben Amorim decides to leave the club. We had eight proposals for Gyokeres last summer and he decided to join Sporting for Amorim.”