🚨 Sancho training with... Man United, Villa land Philogene, Rodri happy at City, Barça close to Williams, Veiga signs on and more
It's all go at Manchester United with news on Sancho, Zirkzee, Evans and de Ligt, as well as all of the other major transfer stories of the day...
Good morning folks and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing, delivered to you ad-free and straight to your inbox as always. Thanks for reading and enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Plus more transfer updates from AC Milan, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan
AC Milan
AC Milan have made contact with AS Roma for Tammy Abraham. He’s one of the options being considered as Milan want three strikers for next season. Tammy would also be keen on the move. AC Milan plan includes Álvaro Morata, Luka Jović plus one more striker.
Why Milan could drop Tottenham defender Emerson Royal for Pavlovic [Football Italia]
Al Ittihad
Houssem Aouar has already agreed on terms to join Al Ittihad from AS Roma. Negotiations underway between the two clubs. He's one of the main targets for new manager Laurent Blanc, who's signing on a two year contract with option for further season.
Laurent Blanc, set to be unveiled as new head coach of Al Ittihad until June 2026. Option for further season also confirmed.
Arsenal
Albert Sambi-Lokonga, set for medical as a new Sevilla player on loan from Arsenal. €12m buy option clause confirmed. Arsenal will also have 25% sell-on clause in case Sevilla will make the deal permanent. Next one for Sevilla: Saúl from Atlético Madrid.
Matteo Moretto has an exclusive update on Arsenal’s pursuit of Espanyol keeper, Joan Garcia.
AS Monaco
Georges Mikautadze to AS Monaco, here we go! Verbal agreement in place and travel scheduled on Saturday, waiting on documents to be signed. Package worth €20m fixed fee plus add-ons, also long term deal with the player already agreed as revealed last week.
AS Roma
Leicester City are set to battle AS Roma for a highly-rated Juventus ace. Matteo Moretto has some exclusive information on this particular deal.
Roma now favourites for En-Nesyri [Foot Mercato]
Aston Villa
Jaden Philogene returns to Aston Villa after the club activated matching rights earlier this week! Deal worth £13m as Villa had 30% sell-on clause included in agreement with Hull City. Philogene signs a five year deal, Emery wanted him back — medical and formal steps soon.
Jaden Philogene will sign in as a new Aston Villa player on Monday, five year contract valid until June 2029. Documents are also ready between clubs. Here we go, story confirmed.
Aston Villa agree personal terms to sign English defender [The Secret Scout]
Atalanta
Atalanta have seen their first offer for Celtic’s Matt O’Riley turned down, so what’s next? Matteo Moretto with the inside track on this deal.
Bahia
City Football Group keep working on possible solutions for Uruguayan talent Luciano Rodriguez. After the deal was called off with Girona, they’re also considering whether to re-activate talks with possible new destination, Bahia. Many clubs keep tracking Luciano as option for this summer.
Barcelona
La Liga president Tebas: “Barça are really close to being able to afford Nico Williams’ release clause. They can pay those amounts if they are within the 1:1 standard… and it’s very close. It is a club that has close to 1B turnover, so they can be in that line.”
Are João Cancelo and João Félix likely to be donning the Barça shirt again next season? Matteo Moretto breaks down the moving parts of both deals.
Bayern Munich
There are still question marks over Vincent Kompany. Christian Falk attempts to explain why that is.
Christian Falk has also gone into detail as to why he would add his name to the petition that 68,000 other Bayern fans have signed because they want to keep Matthijs de Ligt at the club.
Aside from de Ligt, which Bayern players are likely to be moved on this summer? A superb deep dive from Christian Falk reveals all.
Besiktas
Ciro Immobile to Besiktas, here we go! Deal in place until June 2026 as documents have been signed now. The player travelled to Istanbul on Friday and medical tests will follow. Ciro says goodbye to Lazio after fantastic years together, he’s ready for Besiktas.
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund CEO Watzke on Niklas Süle: “I was thinking: my god, we've got a new player! It's admirable how he's managed that. He’s in excellent shape and I prefer it a thousand times better when someone realises a mistake and makes the appropriate deductions.”
Brighton and Hove Albion
Official, confirmed. 18-year-old midfielder Malick Yalcouye has joined Brighton from IFK Gothenburg on a five year contract. “He is a talented midfielder with lots of potential to develop into a top-class player”, says Fabian Hürzeler.
Celtic
Celtic are closing in on a deal to sign Kasper Schmeichel — understand contract will be valid until June 2025. Deal will also include an option for further season, until June 2026.
Chelsea
Official: Renato Veiga signs in as a new Chelsea player on a €14m deal from FC Basel. Seven year contract with option for further season. Exclusive story, confirmed.
Renato Veiga: “I’m absolutely buzzing to be here at Chelsea, this is one of the biggest clubs in England, the biggest for me. I’m really excited to get started.”
Kepa will leave Chelsea this summer, no changes or doubts on the plan. Al Ittihad consider Kepa as option as they did before president resignation, Real Madrid return could be only be possible if Lunin leaves.
Chelsea believe that Samu Omorodion is one of the best strikers available on the market, and Si Phillips does a deep dive into exactly why that is.
Como
Como have completed a deal for Alberto Moreno on a free transfer as revealed on Thursday. Negotiations underway for Rodri Sánchez to join from Real Betis.
Pepe Reina will be next Como signing after Alberto Moreno, one year contract as free agent.
Raphael Varane and Como, next week.
Empoli
Empoli have sent a formal proposal to Dallas FC for Dutch GK Maarten Paes. Negotiations underway for a loan with mandatory buy clause, as Dallas FC want Paes to move permanently. Personal terms already agreed.
Euro 2024
Lamine Yamal reveals: “Kylian Mbappé asked for my jersey after the game.” Yamal turns 17 today, ahead of Euro 2024 final.
Everton
Everton have opened talks with Napoli to sign Jesper Lindstrøm as winger is next top target. Negotiations underway, Napoli are open to selling Jasper in case of good proposal. NO talks for Jackson Tchatchoua from Verona despite links.
Germany
Julian Nagelsmann would’ve been disappointed with Germany’s showing at Euro 2024 but he’ll stay on until World Cup 2026. He’s already planned for life after that tournament and Christian Falk has an exclusive look at where he’s likely to end up.
Inter Milan
Simone Inzaghi signs a new deal at Inter until June 2026, as planned. €6.5m net per season plus €2m in case Inter win the Scudetto in the next two years.
Inter warn off Marseille over Carboni [Football Italia]
Ipswich Town
Paperwork being completed for Liam Delap to join Ipswich Town on £1 fee plus £5m add-ons and 20% sell-on clause to Man City. Announcement to follow. Ipswich travel for pre-season tour next week.
Official, confirmed. Ipswich Town complete Jacob Greaves deal from Hull City for £18m package. Five year contract for Greaves.
Ipswich Town supporting Grammy-winning artist performs private gig for England squad [CaughtOffside]
Juventus
Federico Chiesa will be leaving Juventus but he won’t be signing for Bayern Munich. German football expert, Christian Falk, tells us why.
Juventus shocked by Jadon Sancho turn of events [Football Italia]
Lazio
Nuno Tavares to Lazio, here we go! Verbal agreement on a 5 year contract just reached, deal until June 2029. Nuno will travel this weekend for medical if all goes to plan with formal documents. Arsenal receive €9m, loan with mandatory buy clause + sell-on clause.
Mattéo Guendouzi x Nuno Tavares, set to be together again after OM and Arsenal — soon as Lazio players.
Lazio defender suffers fractured toe [Football Italia]
Leicester City
Wilfred Ndidi’s contract extension revealed days ago is now official. Deal until June 2027.
Leicester’s lucrative package to tempt South American striker [Tuttosport]
Lyon
Olympique Lyon agree deal to sign 16 year old talented striker Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez. He’s leaving Southampton as a free agent with proposals from England and Italy but OL reached verbal agreement on contract/project. Deal set to be signed soon.
Mainz
German Labour Court rules that the termination of Anwar El Ghazi by FSV Mainz 05 was invalid. He was suspended, then re-included in the squad but mentioned again that he does not regret showing support for Palestine and his contract was terminated.
Manchester City
Rodri on his future: “I’m very, very happy in England. I’m at one of the best clubs in the world, it’s obvious, and I’m happy. I have a three-year deal and, when the time comes, I will see.”
2024/25 UEFA club rankings: Manchester City continue dominance [UEFA]
Manchester United
Joshua Zirkzee deal, sealed as expected… as Man United are now fully focused on Matthijs de Ligt. Negotiations underway with Bayern as a five year deal with de Ligt has been already agreed.
Bayern will receive 50% of Joshua Zirkzee fee from Bologna, almost €21m after agreement reached with Man United. Hasan Salihamidzić negotiated that sell-on clause worth 50% of future sale when he sold Zirkzee to Bologna.
Jonny Evans signs a new deal at Man United, staying at the club for one more season until June 2025. Decision made and documents signed.
Joshua Zirkzee deal now also being confirmed by his agent Kia Joorabchian’s company Sports Invest… all set for official announcement as deal is done and signed.
Jadon Sancho held a positive face to face meeting with Erik ten Hag this week and they’ve clarified the situation. Both ten Hag and Sancho agreed to draw a line on their disagreement and move on. Jadon, available for pre-season games. He’s now back in training.
Understand Manchester United are planning to make decision on Sofyan Amrabat next week. They’ve still the option to buy Amrabat available but the internal decision will be made soon. Amrabat, planning to leave Fiorentina and waiting for Man United.
West Ham offered real hope in chase for 26-year-old Man United ace [Stretty News]
Marseille
Olympique Marseille and Inter are at early stages of talks for Valentín Carboni. Carboni, priority target for OM and appreciated by de Zerbi but negotiations will continue next week with direct meetings already scheduled.
Newcastle United
Official: Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi leave Newcastle. “Newcastle United announces that an agreement has been reached to change the club’s ownership structure. PIF and RB Sports & Media will together acquire PCP Capital Partners’ shareholding in the club and Amanda Staveley will step down from all her positions with Newcastle United.”
£100m Englishman won’t be playing for Newcastle next season [Geordie Boot Boys]
Real Sociedad
Official, confirmed. Sérgio Gomez leaves Man City and joins Real Sociedad for €10m fee add-ons included. Man City also included 30% sell-on clause for Gomez. Contract until June 2030, exclusive story now confirmed.
Spain out for vengeance against Cole Palmer [AS]
Rennes
Rennes have rejected Bayern’s first proposal for Desiré Doué worth over €35m. No agreement on the fee, while Bayern keep waiting for Xavi Simons decision on his next club.
Sevilla
Saúl leaves Atlético Madrid to join Sevilla, here we go! Agreement reached with Atlético as Saúl will terminate the contract and accept less than 50% of his current salary to join Atléti. Saúl will travel to Sevilla on Monday for medical and contract signing.
Southampton
Yukinari Sugawara signs a four year deal as a new Southampton player from AZ. €7m package deal, confirmed.
Tottenham Hotspur
Troy Parrott leaves Tottenham and joins AZ Alkmaar on a deal worth around €8m fee. AZ re-investing money from Sugawara deal.
Tottenham in touch with Premier League stars agent ahead of potential move [Give Me Sport]