🚨 £65m star CLOSE to Man Utd agreement, PL clubs win in Europe, Chelsea star NOT for sale, Liverpool star eyed by Real Madrid & more
*FREE TO READ* - Today's transfer updates and Europa League news clips
Good morning all and welcome to your *FREE* Friday edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy! :-)
Today’s top stories:
Matheus Cunha to Man Utd agreement close
Chelsea star won’t be joining Real Madrid
Plus more from Arsenal, Man City and Spurs
Arsenal
EXCLUSIVE - Manchester United are close to a verbal agreement with Matheus Cunha, who has also been a top target for Arsenal chief Andrea Berta.
Aston Villa
EXCLUSIVE - Aston Villa want to sign Gabriel Sara, but face competition from three Premier League rivals!
Barcelona
Alejandro Garnacho: “Lamine Yamal is the best player in the world.”
Hansi Flick: “Lamine has always done that. In the big games, he’s there… let me say he’s a genius. Lamine is always showing how good he is. I think he enjoys these moments too.”
Injury blow for Barcelona as Jules Kounde will be out for three weeks as he has suffered a distal injury to the biceps femoris of the left thigh.
Bayer Leverkusen
Jonathan Tah confirms he’s leaving Leverkusen: “To be honest, I don’t have a timeframe. But the club knows about it. And it’s been the same as it has been all along.”
Chelsea
What a finish by Nicolas Jackson as Chelsea picked up a big win to put one foot in the Europa Conference League final! FT Djurgarden 1-4 Chelsea [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Enzo Maresca: “Very happy with the result and performance. It’s a European semi-final, so very important. We have done a good job, now we need to finish the job at home.”
Maresca on debut for 16-year-old Reggie Walsh: “I felt excited to give him a chance. He’s suited to our style. We’re happy. He’s the eighth debut from the Academy. He is perfect for our system, but of course he’s also young so we need to protect him. I just told him to enjoy the experience before he came on.”
Enzo Fernandez to Real Madrid transfer talk is back, with Chelsea reportedly making a final decision on the midfielder’s future.
Juventus
Federico Gatti is set to sign new contract with Juventus until June 2030 as had been planned months ago. His salary will be slightly over €2m net per season.
Liverpool
Liverpool are ready to pay big money to sign this incredible talent from the Bundesliga! Full story here.
Alexis Mac Allister Real Madrid transfer rumours won’t go away, with the Spanish giants reportedly preparing a huge bid to test Liverpool’s resolve.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola: “When you play like Barcelona, stadiums never ever will be empty. Inter are also incredible, Simone Inzaghi is an unbelievable coach. Thanks to these types of games stadiums will never EVER be empty, and our business will grow.”
Guardiola: “We are really pleased that Rodri is back in the training sessions. We will have to be careful now. The moment the physio and doctor says, ‘Rodri can start to play minutes’, and after that he will start to play minutes. But the doctors have to tell me.”
Guardiola: “Now I reflect why Nico O’Reilly didn’t played in November, December, January, February… or James McAtee too. I should have done it! In that moment I thought maybe they were not ready, and now look what happened. They are ready, that's why they play...”
Manchester United
Casemiro scored to give Manchester United the lead last night, but how about that skill out wide by Harry Maguire of all people?! FT Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Manchester United [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Bruno Fernandes: “The manager and physio say that I need to relax and rest, but I say no. When I die, I will have a lot of time to lay down and rest.”
EXCLUSIVE - Manchester United are close to a verbal agreement with Matheus Cunha, who has also been a top target for Arsenal chief Andrea Berta.
Manchester United have reached an agreement over the transfer of talented 18-year-old striker Enzo Kana Biyik from Le Havre. Kana Biyik is set to sign documents soon, and then the deal will be announced as one more signing for the future.
Fabrizio Romano: “Bendito Mantato has travelled with Man United squad… and then he will sign pro deal at #MUFC until June 2029.”
Jonathan Tah to Man Utd on a free transfer could reportedly now be one to watch as he’s confirmed he’s leaving Bayer Leverkusen.
Real Betis
What a strike by Antony as he continues his superb form on loan at Real Betis, helping them to an important win here. FT Real Betis 2-1 Fiorentina [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Real Madrid
Enzo Fernandez to Real Madrid transfer talk is back, with Chelsea reportedly making a final decision on the midfielder’s future.
Southampton
Jan Bednarek has a release clause in his Southampton contract, which is now active after the Saints’ relegation. The clause is worth £6m, and several clubs are attentive to this opportunity.
Tottenham
An early goal from Brennan Johnson sent Spurs on their way to an impressive win in the Europa League semi-final! FT Tottenham 3-1 Bodo/Glimt [Pictures from TNT Sports]