🚨Liverpool contract talks progressing, Arsenal man set to sign new deal, Julen Lopetegui latest, FIFA Club World Cup draw, & more
Plus all of the other stories making the news in the world of football...
Good morning everyone! Welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing. Thanks for reading and hope you enjoy :-)
Today's top stories:
Ibrahima Konaté contract talks proceeding as planned at Liverpool
Mikel Arteta’s assistant manager Albert Stuivenberg to stay until 2027
Plus more from Man United, Man City and Real Madrid
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s assistant manager Albert Stuivenberg has agreed to sign a new deal at Arsenal until June 2027.
Newcastle’s Alexander Isak is one of three top-class strikers on Arsenal’s transfer list for the 2025 summer transfer window. [CaughtOffside]
Barcelona
“It’s way better that Hansi Flick doesn’t speak Catalan… so he doesn’t fall into traps,” Barcelona president Joan Laporta has said about Hansi Flick’s reign at the Catalan club so far. “Things are going very well for Hansi. The German school produces a lot of great coaches.”
Lionel Messi has sent a message to Barcelona fans: “My message to Barça fans? I miss you a lot. I hope we can meet again soon.”
“You can never accept being second if you’re wearing a Barça shirt. This is what it means to be part of the biggest club in the world,” Lionel Messi said about the standards at Barcelona. “Even if you don’t win, at least you must compete for the title until the very end.”
Bayern Munich
Alphonso Davies does not have an agreement with any club as the defender’s contract at Bayern Munich is set to expire in 2025. All the options remain open.
“His journey at FC Bayern is far from over,” Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer has said about the future of Jamal Musiala. “Big financial package? Well, we really want to keep him.”
“Jamal is an absolute all-rounder, he has developed into one of the best players in the world.”
Chelsea
Enzo Maresca was full of praise for Cole Palmer and Joao Felix after Chelsea’s win over Southampton on Wednesday: “Cole Palmer and Joao Felix are players that can see different things that the others are not able to see. It doesn't mean the rest are not good.”
“Noni Madueke has to understand he has to train good every day,” Enzo Maresca has said about the development of Noni Madueke. “He has to be ambitious. He scored one, he has to go for the second and the third. He has to give more assists. He has to work more because he can be much, much, much better.”
Newcastle’s Alexander Isak is one of three top-class strikers on Arsenal’s transfer list for the 2025 summer transfer window with Chelsea set to challenge the Gunners. [CaughtOffside]
FIFA Club World Cup
The trophy for the new FIFA Club World Cup which is set to take place in the United States between 15 June and 13 July 2025.
2025 FIFA Club World Cup draw in full.
Group A: Palmeiras, FC Porto, Al Ahly and Inter Miami
Group B: PSG, Atlético Madrid, Botafogo and Seattle Sounders
Group C: Bayern Munich, Benfica, Boca Juniors and Auckland City
Group D: Flamengo, Chelsea, Club León and Esperance de Tunis
Group E: River Plate, Inter, Monterrey and Urawa Red Diamonds
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan HD and Mamelodi
Group G: Manchester City, Juventus, Wydad and Al Ain
Group H: Real Madrid, RB Salzburg, Al Hilal and Pachuca
Fulham
Alex Iwobi produced a piece of magic to complete his brace in Fulham’s win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday night. FT: Fulham 3-1 Brighton [Pictures from Prime Video Sport]
Liverpool
Talks over a new deal for Ibrahima Konaté at Liverpool are proceeding as planned with the Merseyside club confident of getting it done. Everyone at the Reds are very happy with the centre-back and view him as a key part of their long-term goals.
Liverpool are in regular contact with Bayer Leverkusen over the potential transfer of right-back Jeremie Frimpong. [CaughtOffside]
Real Madrid are exploring a future move for Liverpool star Ryan Gravenberch. [GiveMeSport]
Manchester City
Jeremy Doku has admitted that the Premier League title race is not over: "We're still in December. If they think the Premier League title race is over, let them think it's over.”
“We are going to look game by game, try to win as much as possible.”
Rodri has urged Man City to sign Euro 2024 winner Nico Williams from Athletic Club. [Metro]
Manchester United
Leny Yoro is being viewed as a crucial part of Ruben Amorim’s project at Man United after making his debut against Arsenal. In every internal meeting, the Portuguese coach mentions how the centre-back will be a crucial player and that he was a very smart signing.
“Since I arrived I see Luke Shaw working a lot in the gym and working a lot on the pitch. If he continues that behaviour, he is a top player and we need him,” Ruben Amorim said about Luke Shaw after the defender’s latest injury setback. "We control the load during the games and training, he was losing weight, doing everything right”.
Ruben Amorim has said that he will stick by Luke Shaw: “No matter how long he needs to return, I will be with him.”
“You can see the structure, you can see the idea. You can see the bounce between the centre-backs and the midfield,” Ruben Amorim has said about the tactical evolution of the current Man United team. “But then you can see we need work in the final third. We need more ideas. You can see how hard it is”.
Man United have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies as the left-back looks set to sign a new contract with the Bundesliga club. [Sky Germany]
Real Madrid
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti on the struggles of Kylian Mbappe at the La Liga champions: “Kylian Mbappe is not playing at his best level, but let’s give him time to adapt.”
Real Madrid have no plans to loan Endrick out this season despite the 18-year-old’s lack of minutes in recent weeks.
Real Madrid are exploring a future move for Liverpool star Ryan Gravenberch. [GiveMeSport]
Tottenham
Tottenham were beaten 1-0 by AFC Bournemouth on Thursday night as Dean Huijsen scored his first goal for the Cherries. FT: Bournemouth 1-0 Tottenham [Pictures from Prime Video Sport]
Ange Postecoglou asked Tottenham fans to keep faith in him after the Bournemouth defeat: “All I can say is I'm really disappointed with tonight and I'm determined to get it right and I'll keep fighting until we do.”
Tottenham are one of several clubs interested in signing Nico Williams from Athletic Club in 2025. [The Athletic]
West Ham
West Ham are set to give Julen Lopetegui one more chance to prove himself with the Spanish coach set to take charge of the Hammers’ clash with Wolves on Monday night. The 58-year-old is under severe pressure following the 3-1 defeat to Leicester on Tuesday. Several candidates are currently being considered for the manager role at West Ham.