🚨 Xavi BOMBSHELL, Slot confirms Liverpool job, Arteta's wish, Guardiola's tribute, Cole Palmer's award and more

Today's round-up, featuring Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea and much more!

May 18, 2024

Good morning everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy!

Today’s top stories:

EXCL: Today’s exclusive column from Fabrizio Romano
🎧 LISTEN: The Debrief podcast - Are Spurs serial losers?
Thomas Tuchel will leave Bayern Munich
Allegri sacked by Juventus
Plus more from Man City, Newcastle and Real Madrid

AC Milan

AC Milan have made new contacts in recent hours with Paulo Fonseca. Fonseca wants the job and talks are progressing well. He’s waiting for the club’s decision to proceed with contracts.

Arsenal

After Cedric and Elneny, Arthur Okonkwo will also leave Arsenal this summer as a free agent when his contract expires. The 22-year-old spent this season on loan at Wrexham winning promotion and being voted League 2 Goalkeeper of the Year.
Mo Elneny leaves a goodbye message to Arsenal fans [pictures from Arsenal]:

Arsenal now know what they will need to pay if they want to land Benjamin Sesko. Christian Falk explains the difficulties involved for the Gunners to be able to land him.
Arsenal are seeking to sign a La Liga ace despite Real Madrid’s buyback clause. Matteo Moretto with another sensational exclusive.
Mikel Arteta on his contract due to expire in June 2025: “We will talk with the club about that at the end of the season.” Arsenal are already preparing their new deal proposal for Arteta.
Mikel Arteta is hoping for a favour from West Ham this weekend [pictures from Sky Sports]:
Mikel Arteta: "If I had to pick a player in Premier League for that moment, it probably would be Son. When he missed... my kids running were around the table. You can imagine."
Sky Sports man claims Arsenal player has agreed Newcastle transfer [Highbury Squad YouTube]

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AS Monaco

AS Monaco trigger the buy option clause for Thilo Kehrer to stay at the club on a permanent deal from West Ham. The Hammers are set to receive a fee of around €11m.

Athletic Club

Athletic Club are chasing one of their old boys and a deal could happen. Matteo Moretto has more.

Barcelona

Internal talks ongoing at Barça, after a tense situation between Joan Laporta and Xavi. Xavi’s recent words on the club’s financial situation and also on Vitor Roque have upset the president. Rafa Márquez remains high on the club’s list if needed.
Matteo Moretto has an exclusive on the developing story with Xavi.
Barcelona confident in signing ‘missing piece of the puzzle’ [Sport]

Bayer Leverkusen

Find out Xabi Alonso’s position on Jeremie Frimpong wanting a Premier League move in another superb Christian Falk exclusive.

Bayern Munich

Thomas Tuchel will NOT stay as Bayern manager, no change of mind. “This is my last press conference as FC Bayern manager. There were talks, but we didn't reach an agreement… so the decision of February still stands,” Tuchel said.
Thomas Tuchel: “The feedback from recent weeks was the foundation for us having a discussion to stay and continue together… but we couldn't reach an agreement. I won't say the reasons.”
Thomas Tuchel remains open to working for a new club next season after leaving FC Bayern. He’s always been open to experiences abroad — also, Tuchel remains keen on working again in England. Tuchel feels ready for a new chapter immediately, no need to ‘recharge.’

Borussia Dortmund

Marius Wolf and Mateu Morey will leave Borussia Dortmund as free agents at the end of the season. It’s time to part ways for both of them.

Brentford

Brentford confirm Josh Dasilva has signed a new one-year contract, with a club option for an additional 12 months.

Brighton and Hove Albion

Roberto de Zerbi: “I can guarantee that I have NO club behind me to change my idea. I have always been honest. But if I stay in Brighton, I’d like to reach every season the highest target we can. We have to discuss with the club.”

Chelsea

Chelsea have sent their new formal proposal to Palmeiras for Willian Estevão, as revealed earlier this week. From initial €32m plus €25m add-ons rejected, Chelsea new bid is now for €65m package, add-ons included. All agreed on player side since two weeks ago.
Si Phillips has an excellent deep dive to explain Chelsea’s European qualification fate.
Pochettino: “The message is always to trust in the process, trust in the team. We are 200% committed to deliver the best job for the club. It's important to have the backing of the owners. At the end, they are the bosses.”
OFFICIAL: Cole Palmer wins the award as Premier League Young Player of the Year. The Chelsea star has scored 22 goals and provided 10 assists in the Premier League this season.

Crystal Palace

Christian Falk has an exclusive deep dive on Bayern Munich’s concrete approach for a key Crystal Palace man - which shocked the South London club’s hierarchy!
Crystal Palace on verge of agreeing deal for Bournemouth playmaker [CaughtOffside]

Heerenveen

Robin van Persie signed in as new Heerenveen manager on Friday, deal completed. He’s appreciated and highly rated in the industry as a potential top head coach.

Inter Milan

Alexis Sanchez will leave Inter in June and plans to discuss things with several clubs in the next weeks as he's receiving approaches from different countries. Sanchez will be available as a free agent, Inter will replace him with Mehdi Taremi.

Juventus

Massimiliano Allegri has been sacked by Juventus with immediate effect.
Juventus clarify that “the sacking follows certain behaviours held during and after the Coppa Italia final that the club considered not compatible with our values.”
Paolo Montero will be Juventus’ interim coach until the end of the season, to replace Allegri. Juventus keep working to seal the Thiago Motta deal as new head coach for next season after already sending a formal proposal.
Juventus only fired three coaches mid-season in the past 50 years [Football Italia]

Liverpool

As Jurgen Klopp prepares to bid farewell to Liverpool, he got emotional in his final pre-match press conference of the season [pictures from Sky Sports]:

Klopp: “John Achterberg will be joining Al Ettifaq with Steven Gerrard, good luck to them.”
Klopp on the vote for VAR: “How it's used is definitely not right, how they use it… I would vote against VAR. These people cannot do it properly. VAR is not the problem, you cannot change the people so I would vote for scrapping VAR.”
Arne Slot formally signed his contract as new Liverpool head coach on Friday, all documents are in place. The official announcement will follow to Liverpool’s desired timing. Work permit still pending for some of his staff members and then it will be all sealed.
Arne Slot: “I can confirm that I will be the new Liverpool manager next season.”

Joel Matip leaves Liverpool as a free agent at the end of the season, now confirmed. He’s set to say goodbye to club and fans this weekend.
Thiago Alcantara leaves Liverpool as a free agent, decision made months ago and now confirmed. Thiago, available for free and ready for a new chapter.
Contracts for Ruben Amorim to replace Jurgen Klopp were agreed and ready to be signed. Christian Falk has a stunning exclusive on exactly why that deal fell through.

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Manchester City

Gareth Southgate paid special tribute to Phil Foden in his speech at the Football Writers’ Association awards dinner, to celebrate the Man City ace winning the Player of the Year award [pictures from Hayters/The Football Writers’ Association]:

Pep Guardiola: “We'd like to be 3-0 up after 10 minutes vs West Ham… but it will not happen. I have a feeling it will be like Aston Villa in 2022. We are ready. My players will never give up.”
Pep Guardiola paid tribute to departing West Ham manager, David Moyes, ahead of the fixture between the two sides this weekend [pictures from Sky Sports]:

Kalvin Phillips will formally return to Man City in June as he’s not staying at West Ham because the club has different plans for their midfield in 2024/25. Man City will actively work to find a new solution for Kalvin next season.
Expensive Tottenham signing seen as the ideal player for Man City [FC Update]

Manchester United

Man United will turn down offers for 29-year-old despite exit rumours [The Independent]

Napoli

Everything seems to have gone quiet with regards to Victor Osimhen, but Matteo Moretto has an exclusive and significant update.
Napoli approach Gasperini [Sky Sports Italy]

Newcastle United

Do the Magpies have a chance of landing Serhou Guirassy from Stuttgart? Christian Falk has more on this developing story.
Newcastle interested in former Premier League winger [Give Me Sport]

Olympique Marseille

Jean-Louis Gasset: “I’m set to retire as head coach, and Saturday’s match will be my final game as manager.” Olympique Marseille started the process to appoint a new head coach weeks ago.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid have decided to proceed to extend Lucas Vazquez's contract, and are waiting to agree on terms as soon as possible. Club and player both want to continue together. After that, Real Madrid will also discuss about the possibility to extend Dani Carvajal's contract.
Luka Modrić has informed Real Madrid of his desire to stay at the club and sign a new contract. It’s not about the salary, Modrić told Real Madrid of his intention to stay. Modrić has rejected two big proposals to wait for Real and it’s up to them now.

Sevilla

Jesús Navas: “Dear Sevilla fans, it’s been a sad day for me. I never expected this day to come. I can’t believe it. Sevilla is my home and I never got a call from the club to extend the contract. Not even one. Zero calls. I’ve not agreed anything with another club. My love is Sevilla.”

Southampton

Southampton are through to the Championship Play-Off Final to play Leeds at Wembley Stadium after a 3-1 semi-final win over West Bromwich Albion. Second-half goals from Will Smallbone and Adam Armstrong (2) did the damage, and made Cedric Kipre’s 97th-minute strike nothing more than a consolation [pictures from Sky Sports]:

The Debrief Podcast

Are Spurs serial losers? Angus Scott and Ben Jacobs are joined by Ricky Sacks of Last Word on Spurs to break down Big Ange’s comments following the team’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City. Did he say the quiet part aloud? That Spurs do not have a winning mentality? Or is it simply a matter of unique circumstances with Arsenal challenging to win the league and Spurs having an opportunity to spoil the party. Fabrizio Romano is here as always, answering your questions on the upcoming transfer window. Make sure to subscribe, so you can submit your queries and have them read during the pod.

Tottenham Hotspur

Ange Postecoglou admitted that the match against Man City was the worst experience he’s had as a football manager [pictures from Sky Sports]:

Aston Villa want to sign 23-year-old Tottenham target [Give Me Sport]
Lucas Bergvall: “Son texted me after I accepted the Spurs bid, it was crazy. I'm from Sweden! He's one of the best players in the Premier League and a real legend. It was really kind of him because he was at the Asian Cup, he’s nice.”

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