🚨 WATCH Hummels goal and host of PSG missed chances, plus Zirkzee to Arsenal, Estevao to Chelsea, major Man Utd exit, & more
Today's round-up, featuring Arsenal, Chelsea & Man Utd transfer news, plus UCL news clips...
Good morning everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - your essential round-up of the biggest stories in football. Thanks for reading, and hope you enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Plus more from Liverpool, Man Utd and Real Madrid
Arsenal
Joshua Zirkzee to Arsenal? Charles Watts takes a closer look at this story in his exclusive column.
Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise look ideal for Arsenal, according to Charles Watts in his exclusive column.
Arsenal really wanted Moises Caicedo to partner Declan Rice - Charles Watts with the full details on this in his exclusive column.
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Atalanta
Only Cole Palmer (12) and Harry Kane (11) have scored more goals than Gianluca Scamacca in the last two months - in top five European leagues. He’s scored ten goals in the last two months, Atalanta are more than happy with their €25m investment.
Barcelona
Barcelona have already ruled out signing Mason Greenwood - he is not a target, despite Getafe president Angel Torres saying: “No one from Atletico Madrid has asked me about Mason Greenwood. The only one who asked me about the player was Barca president Laporta.”
Mikayil Faye: “Patience is to calmly accept that things come at a different time than you expected.” He’s still waiting to debut with Barcelona while several clubs want to sign him this summer, after bids rejected from RC Lens in January.
Luis Enrique back to Barcelona? Reports claim they’re keen to re-hire the PSG manager.
Bayern Munich
Bayern are not in talks to appoint Erik ten Hag. Normal inquiry on his situation as with many other managers but never concrete/close at this stage. As explained yesterday, Ten Hag’s full focus is on Manchester United’s final league games and the FA Cup final while Bayern want a new coach shortly.
Bayern are planning to trigger the buy back clause for talented striker Armindo Sieb to return at the club in the summer transfer window. Bayern will also extend his contract until June 2027 or 2028 as soon as he returns to the club, then send him out on loan. Bayern will 100% activate the buy back clause for €1.5m and plan to send him on loan next season.
Ralf Rangnick: “Uli Hoeness’ words did not influence my decision to turn down Bayern job. We’ve been good friends for a long time. His public statements had no influence on my decision to stay with Austria.”
Thomas Tuchel on Bryan Zaragoza playing only 87 minutes in five months: “It was big step for him, very big step - to come from where he played, with all due respect, to a Champions League team and in a difficult moment. Bryan doesn't speak the language, no good English, no German. So it takes time, every transfer takes time. We’re happy with him. He trains with us, he’s here with us - but he still needs a bit of time. Everything is in place.”
Borussia Dortmund
A superb header by Mats Hummels gave Dortmund a famous win at PSG and booked their place in the Champions League final! FT PSG 0-1 Borussia Dortmund (0-2 on aggregate) [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Marco Reus was almost in tears after Dortmund’s memorable victory to reach the Champions League final: “We go to Wembley, crazy… crazy. We are back, more than ten years later. We have to make it happen, it’s our moment. It’s now.”
Jadon Sancho’s loan fee is set to rise again for Manchester United profit… and Borussia Dortmund will be more than happy to pay that extra amount. Fantastic signings, Sancho and Maatsen on loan in January - they’re now making it to Wembley for the Champions League final with BVB.
Chelsea
Estevao Willian to Chelsea talks have been going on for some time - Fabrizio Romano with the latest info in his exclusive column.
Chelsea and Armando Broja are planning to part ways this summer. A permanent transfer is expected as soon as he returns from his loan at Fulham. The striker is on the list of several clubs in Europe and the Premier League, who are looking at him as a main option.
What about Chelsea’s other loaned-out stars, including Kepa Arrizabalaga? Fabrizio Romano has a look at their futures in his latest column.
Fluminense are planning for Thiago Silva to sign a formal contract valid until June 2026 in the next 10-15 days. A verbal agreement is in place as reported last week, now working to finalise the details and sign documents in London. Thiago’s comeback for his former club is considered a matter of time.
Crystal Palace
How did Crystal Palace win the race for Adam Wharton? Fabrizio Romano with some insight in his latest exclusive column.
Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise look ideal for Arsenal, according to Charles Watts in his exclusive column.
Fluminense
Fluminense are planning for Thiago Silva to sign a formal contract valid until June 2026 in the next 10-15 days. A verbal agreement is in place as reported last week, now working to finalise the details and sign documents in London. Thiago’s comeback for his former club is considered a matter of time.
Getafe
Barcelona have already ruled out signing Mason Greenwood - he is not a target, despite Getafe president Angel Torres saying: “No one from Atletico Madrid has asked me about Mason Greenwood. The only one who asked me about the player was Barca president Laporta.”
Getafe president confirms: “Yes, Man United are prepared to sell Greenwood in case they receive a good proposal. He could stay here for one more year, we will see.”
Inter Milan
Inter vice president Javier Zanetti guarantees that Lautaro Martinez will stay at the club this summer: “He will be our captain also next season, for sure. He’s extending the contract, he’s staying.”
Liverpool
Goncalo Inacio to Liverpool transfer looks one to watch for this summer, but other clubs have also shown an interest.
Could Liverpool sign Teun Koopmeiners under Arne Slot?
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Manchester United
Joao Neves and Antonio Silva to Manchester United? Benfica duo have been scouted by the Red Devils for months, according to Fabrizio Romano in his exclusive column.
Casemiro could leave Manchester United - Fabrizio Romano with the latest on Saudi interest and more in today’s column.
Barcelona have already ruled out signing Mason Greenwood - he is not a target, despite Getafe president Angel Torres saying: “No one from Atletico Madrid has asked me about Mason Greenwood. The only one who asked me about the player was Barca president Laporta.”
Erik ten Hag on his future: “I don’t think about this. We have many problems, so I prepare the team in the best way I can. The only focus I have is to perform better with my team. Absolutely, I am the right manager to turn things around. If the right players are available then we have a good squad. But when we miss almost our entire backline then we have problems.”
Bayern are not in talks to appoint Erik ten Hag. Normal inquiry on his situation as with many other managers but never concrete/close at this stage. As explained yesterday, Ten Hag’s full focus is on Manchester United’s final league games and the FA Cup final while Bayern want a new coach shortly.
PSG
Just look at how close PSG came to scoring against Dortmund - how unlucky are they not to have made the final? FT PSG 0-1 Borussia Dortmund (0-2 on aggregate) [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Kylian Mbappe: “It’s long process to win the Champions League and I’m sure PSG are not far from that. We are sad tonight, we’re disappointed.”
PSG chairman Al Khelaifi on Luis Enrique’s future: “Are you serious with this question? Honestly, do you know and understand some football? We are building a long term project with the youngest squad in Europe, future will be bright. We will keep going.”
Luis Enrique: “It’s important to remember that we are an example for kids, so we have to accept our defeat. We have to understand how to win but also how to lose. Congrats to Borussia Dortmund, they’re Champions League campaign has been great.”
Renato Sanches to leave PSG - Fabrizio Romano with the latest details on the midfielder’s asking price in today’s exclusive column.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid have planned new round of talks with River Plate to discuss potential structure of the potential Franco Mastantuono deal. Real will try to negotiate on €45m fee structure/payment terms rather than triggering the clause. There’s still no proposal, as race remains open.
Carlo Ancelotti: “Lunin will start vs Bayern. Even if Courtois played a great game, the plan was for Lunin to start tomorrow. We are very happy with Courtois and he’s really training in fantastic way, he deserves a lot.”
Dani Carvajal: “Tomorrow, I hope not, some of my teammates will play their last Champions League match at the Bernabeu.”
Tottenham
Ivan Toney to Tottenham could be a transfer to watch, according to latest reports.
Raphinha linked with Spurs again and reports suggest a deal for the Barcelona winger could be done on the cheap…
Emerson Royal to leave Tottenham this summer?
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