🚨 Solskjaer would jump at United return, no regrets for Nico, Marc Bernal's new deal, Europa League round-up and much more

Plus all of the other stories making the news in the world of football...

Good morning everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing! Thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy today’s post :-)

Today’s top stories:

• DON’T MISS: Fabrizio Romano’s latest exclusive column!

• 🎧 LISTEN: The Debrief Podcast - Sizing Up The Premier League Season So Far

• Luis Enrique would take a 50% pay cut if it meant he didn’t have to speak to the media again!

• Plus more from Juventus, Liverpool & Manchester United

Arsenal

• Arteta: "Raheem Sterling was great. I think he’s started to show glimpses of what he can do, especially in attacking moments. Physically, he needs to get there to the level that we require, but I think it was a massive step."

• Arteta on Ethan Nwaneri: "He’s playing without pressure, with confidence, with a way of making decisions that tells you that the boy is ready at this level. He’s part of us so he will have the minutes. He’s improving daily."

• Arsenal are thought to be admirers of Jamal Musiala but are Bayern willing to sell? Fabrizio Romano gets into the detail.

• Ex-Arsenal star arrested after Police spot “unusual behaviour” [The Sun]

Athletic Club

• Iñaki Williams: “Nico doesn’t regret his decision to stay at Athletic, he says it’s the best decision he’s made. Nico is very happy in Bilbao and I hope we can keep playing together as long as possible.”

Atlético Madrid

• Julián Álvarez scores his second goal as an Atlético Madrid player since joining from Man City… and the only goal of the game is a last minute winner to secure all three points against Celta Vigo.

Barcelona

• Hansi Flick: "Jules Koundé is just incredible! He's always 100% ready. I have never thought about changing him during matches. He's a leader."

• Barça have started signing all docs for Marc Bernal’s new deal valid until June 2029! New release clause: €500m. Formal announcement to follow but contracts now being sealed. Barça promised Bernal a new deal + add-ons from this season paid as part of a future fixed salary.

• Lewandowski: “I see Lamine Yamal as the best winger in the world but… it’s not about how you start, it’s about how you finish. He is 17 and he has to think about the next 10-15 years not only 2-3 years. He can have a long career.”

• It’ll be a big day for Barcelona on Monday. Fabrizio Romano tells us why.

• Barcelona forward was reduced to tears during training session [Catalunya Radio]

Bayer Leverkusen

• Bayer Leverkusen are closing in on a deal to sign Argentine talent Alejo Sarco (2006) from Vélez! Deal almost agreed for a free transfer in January. Vélez have already rejected two bids from Leverkusen, who consider Sarco as a top talent.

Chelsea

• Si Phillip’s discusses Pedro Neto’s revelation that players are losing sleep over competition for places.

• Cole Palmer: “If I could play with one Chelsea icon, it’d be Eden Hazard for sure. Our game is different but I try to be as exciting as Hazard.”

• Graham Potter on Chelsea: “I take responsibility for the results but the easy solution is Chelsea aren’t winning, so it must be the coach… he’s the problem. That might not be 100 per cent wrong, but it’s not 100 per cent right.”

• Chelsea will find it difficult to land one of their targets says Fabrizio Romano.

• Chelsea want £60m man who smoothed Gvardiol’s path to Man City [TeamTalk]

CSKA Moscow

• Miralem Pjanić joins CSKA Moscow in Russia as a free agent on a one year contract, signed and confirmed.

Europa League

• Fenerbahçe vs Union Saint-Gilloise (2-1): Both sides were reduced to 10 men in what turned out to be a feisty affair. Çağlar Söyüncü and and a Christian Burgess own goal gave the hosts the win, Ross Sykes’ 93rd minute strike nothing more than a consolation.

• Malmo vs Rangers (0-2): Nedim Bajrami gave Rangers the best possible start with a goal in the opening minute, but it would take until the 76th before Ross McCausland made the game safe for the Scottish giants.

• Braga vs Maccabi Tel-Aviv (2-1): All of the fun in this one occurred from the 88th minute onwards. Osher Davida’s spot-kick on 30 saw the visitors take the lead and it wasn’t until two minutes from time before Bruma equalised for the hosts. His own penalty on 95 won Braga the game, but there was still time for Gavriel Kanichowsky and Tyrese Asante to be red carded for Maccabi.

• Eintracht Frankfurt vs Viktoria Plzeň (3-3): The spoils were shared in a six-goal thriller in Germany. Hugo Ekitike opened the scoring on 38, but Eintracht were soon pegged back when Pavel Šulc equalised on 41. Two goals in five minutes from Éric Junior Dina Ebimbe and Rasmus Kristensen looked to have won the game for the hosts, but Prince Kwabena Adu (86) and Václav Jemelka (92) silenced the home crowd.

• Roma vs Athletic Club (1-1): A tough and even game was expected and that’s exactly what fans were treated to. Roma’s new signing, Artem Dovbyk opening the scoring with Aitor Paredes giving the visitors a point five minutes from time.

• FCSB vs RFS (4-1): Although RFS were level at one point in this game, it was only for nine minutes, the result never in doubt. Daniel Bîrligea, Marius Ștefǎnescu and Darius Olaru (2) were on target for the hosts, with Žiga Lipušček replying for RFS.

• Ajax vs Beşiktaş (4-0): No shots on target for the visitors despite having more possession and playing more passes than Ajax tells its own story. Kian Fitz-Jim, Kenneth Taylor and Mika Godts (2) made this an easy nights work for the Dutch giants.

• Tottenham vs Qarabag (3-0): Radu Drăgușin was sent off after just seven minutes of this game, but just five minutes later, in-form Brennan Johnson gave Spurs the lead. Pape Matar Sarr and Dominic Solanke took the game away from the visitors in the second half, in what turned out to be a comprehensive victory for the North Londoners [pictures from TNT Sports]:

• Lyon vs Olympiacos (2-0): Rayan Cherki and Saïd Benrahma’s goals within six second half minutes was enough to see off a poor Olympiacos side.

Juventus

• Manuel Locatelli: “I’ve no regrets for joining Juventus instead of Arsenal, but I love watching football, I like watching their games and I respect their coach, Mikel Arteta.”

• New deal until June 2026 for backup goalkeeper Carlo Pinsoglio at Juventus. Agreement sealed.

• Official, confirmed. Juventus talent Samuel Mbangula signs a new deal at the club until June 2028.

• Juventus director Giuntoli: “Weston McKennie was never out of our project. His contract was the topic, we got the extension done so he’s 100% part of our squad.”

• Juventus receive Conceicao boost [Gianluca Di Marzio]

Liverpool

• Arne Slot: "Federico Chiesa has to get used to the club, he has to get used to his teammates, he has to just get used to the playing style. But very good to see how match fit he already is, so we can use him when we need him."

• Former player says Liverpool star is ‘definitely leaving the club’ [talkSPORT]

Manchester United

• Ole Gunnar Solskjær was asked if he’d accept a return to Man United as manager. "I don't like to talk about other manager's jobs, but yes, of course I would!”

• What’s gone wrong for Man United so far? Erik ten Hag: “We have to score more goals. That is the problem, the key area is to score more goals as a team. We have players across the team who have the ability to score, that is clear.”

• Ten Hag: “We are still work in progress. We signed very young players like last year with Hojlund, now Zirkzee and Leny Yoro. We believe in them. But also I am impatient. I want to go straight forward. But we had success and we have to work hard to bring more success.”

• Ten Hag on Bruno Fernandes’ form: “He will find his form. I am convinced he will not do differently. He is already creating chances but he will make final passes, he will score goals. One hundred per cent and it is just a matter of time.”

• Erik ten Hag: “I believe Zirkzee can be prolific. He is young, you see his skills. He’s a very good link up player, he is creative and has good moments. The goal vs Fulham was a great action and finish. But in that area he can definitely improve.”

• Fabrizio Romano has the very latest news on Erik ten Hag’s position at Man United.

• Man United considering shock move for player that left Tottenham in 2023 [Fichajes]

Napoli

• Scott McTominay kissing Napoli’s shirt after his first goal since joining the club from Man United in August! Antonio Conte and Napoli management, all delighted with Scott after his excellent impact.

• Fabrizio Romano ponders on what are the keys to Antonio Conte’s continued success.

Newcastle United

• Newcastle want Lille’s Jonathan David but how close are they to landing him? Fabrizio Romano has the details.

Paris Saint-Germain

• Gigi Donnarumma's agent Enzo Raiola: "He could become a legend of PSG. We've started talks over new deal. On our side, we'd love to stay at PSG."

• Luis Enrique: “I’ve always had a good relationship with the press…. but if 25 to 50% of my salary is taken away and I no longer need to speak to the press, I’ll sign straight away.”

Qatar Stars League

• Al Gharafa have completed a deal to sign Sergio Rico as a new goalkeeper after he left PSG as free agent.

The Debrief Podcast

• Sizing Up The Premier League Season So Far - Angus and Ben take stock of the Premier League season after five matches and size up the three-horse race between Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool. They also hit on the biggest surprises and look at who is threatening to be relegated from the Premier League.

Tottenham Hotspur

• Postecoglou: “Dom Solanke’s now getting there. He didn't do pre-season with us but he just keeps going. Great for him to get another goal but his all-round performance was really strong.”