🚨 Cherries grab Evanilson, Fofana 'here we go,' Poch US bound, Ipswich land Phillips, Bissouma suspended and much more
Plus all of the other stories making the news in the world of football...
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:
Get all the latest French football news from our expert Jonathan Johnson
🎧 LISTEN: The Debrief Podcast - Who is winning the transfer window battle?
Plus more from Chelsea, Manchester United and West Ham United
AC Milan
Youssouf Fofana to AC Milan, here we go! Green light from AS Monaco also on payment terms. €25m package add-ons included, four year contract plus option for s further season. No doubts since July: he only wanted AC Milan. Travel and medical in next 24h.
AC Milan submit bid for 2005 born midfielder Demirel Hodzic at Bologna. Negotiations ongoing as he could be part of Milan Futuro youth side and first team too. Hodzic signed with Miro Jaganjac & Daniel Majstorovic as new agents.
Why Kalulu is still training with Milan despite Juventus agreement [TMW]
Ajax
After 17 penalties (!), Ajax advance to the next stage of Europa League qualifying round beating Panathinaikos. Remko Pasveer, 40 years old, saved 5 penalties and scored one. Hero.
Arsenal
Arsenal sporting director Edu holds private meeting with transfer target [Noticias de Gipuzkoa]
Aston Villa
Aston Villa are closing on an agreement for 2005 born midfielder Kane Taylor from Manchester City U21. Long term deal almost sealed between player and Villa after deal in place between the two clubs. Here we go, soon.
Atalanta
Atalanta have asked for info on Lazar Samardzić as a potential new offensive midfielder. Samardzić and O’Riley are both on Atalanta’s list. Atalanta will follow up with contacts after official bid for €52m plus €7m add-ons bid received from Juventus for Koopmeiners.
Atlético Madrid
Could Antoine Griezmann be moving to MLS? Fabrizio Romano dissects the latest rumours.
Barcelona
Lamine Yamal’s father Mounir is out of danger. Situation under control after being stabbed in a parking lot on Wednesday.
Barcelona have doubts about agreeing Lenglet deal with Atlético Madrid [Mundo Deportivo]
Vitor Roque could be on his way to Portugal. Fabrizio Romano gives us the most up-to-date developments on this transfer.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth agree a deal to sign Brazilian striker Evanilson from Porto, here we go! Deal in place for package worth €47m for Brazilian forward to be the replacement for Solanke. Porto also has a 10% sell-on clause. Medical tests booked, Evanilson landed in England on Thursday evening.
Brighton and Hove Albion
Ferdi Kadioglu’s long term deal at Brighton is ready and details agreed. The player has confirmed to Fenerbahçe personal terms are in place and he wants to play in the Premier League. The two clubs are in talks to agree on a transfer fee.
Georginio Rutter, set to sign for Brighton for £40m release clause! Farke confirms that Rutter has already said goodbye to teammates and staff.
Chelsea
Chelsea and Atlético are keeping contacts active behind the scenes for João Félix/Conor Gallagher. Saga remains on, deal in a tense situation but not collapsed so far. There’s still work needed between clubs to agree after Omorodion deal off. João already said yes to Chelsea.
Si Phillips delves into why Chelsea are prepared for a transfer ban, and how it could actually help them.
Chelsea, Man United and Tottenham have been tracking Jonathan David but how close are any of the Premier League clubs to landing him? Jonathan Johnson with an exclusive deep dive on the latest movements.
Chelsea plan to loan Lesley Ugochukwu clear since July now leads to Southampton move. Saints approached Chelsea today and Martin’s considered key factor as he can develop the player in the best way. Agreement close over loan deal.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace have concrete interest in Robin Gosens after Torino left negotiations as they’re close to signing Borna Sosa from Ajax. Palace have Gosens on their list and Glasner really appreciates him; up to Union Berlin now, as the manager hopes to keep Robin.
Crystal Palace reject Newcastle’s third offer for Marc Guehi [Sky Sports News]
Feyenoord
Official, confirmed. Ibrahim Osman leaves Brighton on loan to join Feyenoord until July 2025. Salary will be covered by the Dutch club.
Fiorentina
Fiorentina are closing in on the Albert Gudmundsson deal as medical tests have been booked for Saturday. If all goes to plan, Juventus wait for the green light to sign Nico González as a new winger very soon.
Albert Gudmundsson has been authorised to travel on Friday with medical tests to follow at Fiorentina in 24h. €8m loan fee, €17m buy clause that could become mandatory and €3m add-ons to Genoa. Genoa sign Pinamonti.
France
What’s next for Thierry Henry after Olympic Games disappointment? French football expert, Jonathan Johnson looks into the detail.
Girona
Official, confirmed. Bojan Miovski joins Girona on a permanent move from Aberdeen and contract valid until June 2028. £6.8m fee, record sale for Aberdeen.
Pau López has signed in as a new Girona player on a loan deal from Olympique Marseille.
Hoffenheim
Hoffenheim are trying to hijack Adam Hlozek’s move to Leicester City. Negotiations already at the final stages with Leicester as they remain favourites after a €20m package on loan with obligation agreed with Leverkusen.
Ipswich Town
Kalvin Phillips to Ipswich Town, here we go! Deal sealed between clubs and medical tests completed. Loan move from Manchester City does not include a buy option clause, per initial agreement.
Ipswich Town will announce Kalvin Phillips as a new signing in 24h and then the next one will be Sammie Szmodics. Fee agreed with Blackburn Rovers and medical on Friday.
Juventus
Juventus have improved their proposal for Teun Koopmeiners as Atalanta rejected €50m plus €5m add-ons package. New bid worth €52m fixed fee plus €5m add-ons up to €57m package, as Juventus try to get the deal done. Koopmeiners, waiting as it’s up to the clubs.
Thiago Motta wants Juventus to play like Bologna [Sky Italia]
LA Galaxy
Official, confirmed. LA Galaxy sign Marco Reus on a two and a half year deal after he left Borussia Dortmund as a free agent. He’s now set for a new chapter in MLS.
Liverpool
Bid rejected: Liverpool will keep trying for transfer as they’re quoted €40m asking price [Todo Fichajes]
Manchester City
Man City to sign one more talent as they close in on a deal for Divin Mubama. OL and Famalicão were in talks but City hijack the move as they see Mubama as a homegrown player who could develop with the right pathway. Mubama will be in Manchester this season then potential loan.
Understand Michael Zetterer was number one replacement option for Man City in case Ederson had left the club. Zetterer now supposed to start the season with Werder Bremen although 3 other Premier League teams could still try to sign him; OM also considered him in July.
Fans told “distinct possibility” Man City could sign £60m-rated England international [Football Transfers]
How close are Man City to signing a replacement for Julian Alvarez? Fabrizio Romano looks at the rumours linking Real Madrid’s Rodrygo.
Manchester United
Matthijs de Ligt confirms he already agreed personal terms with Man United in June: “I'm really excited. I actually waited a long time. The whole vacation I was waiting for the message, that it was a done deal, and now finally it is. So I can't wait to start.”
“Maguire, de Ligt and Mazraoui are all available for the Fulham game”, Erik ten Hag has confirmed.
Ten Hag also confirms: “Mazraoui is an additional one who can fill the position as long as Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia aren't in the team. It's quite difficult to put him under pressure, especially in English football, that can be very beneficial.”
Ten Hag on Zirkzee: “He’s close. In the last months, he had an injury at Bologna. In the end, he made the selection for Netherlands… That meant he was out of our first games in pre-season, so he had no games. That’s his problem in this moment.”
Erik ten Hag: “We have two young strikers who have the potential to grow into top-class strikers in Hojlund and Zirkzee. They can really become top-class.”
Ten Hag on Luke Shaw’s injury: “First season when I was here, he played many games so I am very confident we will get him back into shape. I talk with Luke, he is so committed, he is so United. I have strong belief he will return quickly and contribute to our levels.”
Ten Hag on Mason Mount: “He gets a whole pre-season and that will help him, support him to have a good base to go into the season. Everyone knows Mason Mount is a quality player and he will help us to the right levels and to help us win games.”
Man United agree a massive five-year deal deemed a “perfect fit” by CEO [The Athletic]
Napoli
Understand Napoli are all set for David Neres to travel on Sunday with medical tests right after, possibly on Monday! Final details of the deal with fee close to €30m to be fixed in the next 48h with Benfica, then deal will be sealed. Here we go, soon.
Is Victor Osimhen’s move to Chelsea any closer to completion? Fabrizio Romano has a detailed look at the situation.
Newcastle United
Newcastle confirm that Sandro Tonali has been cleared to play from August 28.
Newcastle learn Chelsea’s minimum asking price for Noni Madueke [The Athletic]
Do Newcastle still have a chance of landing Marc Guehi? Fabrizio Romano has the latest updates.
Nottingham Forest
Ramón Sosa, currently undergoing medical tests at Nottingham Forest. Agreement on €11.7m plus €5m deal for Sosa from Talleres, with a 15% sell-on clause.
Paris Saint-Germain
Désiré Doué will undergo medical tests on Friday. PSG are set to announce DD as their next signing.
What other deals could we see PSG doing in the current window? Jonathan Johnson brings us up to speed.
Paris Saint-Germain are currently not planning for new talks on a deal for Rayan Cherki. They have different plans.
Saudi Pro League
More on Paulo Dybala and Al Qadsiah. Three year contract on the table from Saudi club, as reported. Negotiations underway between all parties involved in order to agree on every detail of the deal. No final green light yet, key details are still being discussed.
The Debrief Podcast
Who is winning the transfer window battle? Ben, Angus and Kevin Hatchard discuss their favourite transfer business so far, and make some predictions for the upcoming Premier League season. Plus, Ben explains why Mauricio Pochettino chose the U.S. Men’s National Team and Fabrizio answers your question.
Torino
Torino are closing in on a deal to sign Borna Sosa from Ajax on loan with an option to buy. Negotiations at final stages.
Tottenham Hotspur
Ange Postecoglou: “We've suspended Bissouma from Monday's game. He needs to build that trust back with both me and the group. The door is open for him but behaviour is crucial.” It follows Bissouma posting himself inhaling laughing gas on social media.
Ange Postecoglou was asked how well Dominic Solanke has been fitting in at Tottenham [pictures from Sky Sports]:
Journalist confirms the position where Tottenham are ready to strengthen [Give Me Sport]
United States
Mauricio Pochettino becomes the new USMNT manager, leading the US to World Cup 2026. After contacts with several managers, former Chelsea and Spurs head coach says yes to the proposal and project, as per reports in US overnight. Poch is back.
West Ham United
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui was asked whether Aaron Wan-Bissaka would be included in the opening game of the season on Saturday against Aston Villa [pictures from Sky Sports]:
First-team player pushing to leave West Ham before deadline day [Give Me Sport]
West Ham have had a brilliant transfer window so far and Fabrizio Romano gives his opinion on Tim Steidten’s work across the summer.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves have rejected Genoa’s loan plus option to buy clause for Fábio Silva. Wolves prefer to consider other proposals for the Portuguese striker such as a loan with a mandatory buy clause. Werder Bremen added Fábio’s name to their list, while Real Betis asked for info days ago.
🍒 done excellent! I wish Chelsea was that smart 😭😠