🚨 £65m star to Arsenal or Chelsea? Plus HUGE Neymar injury blow, €45m opportunity for Liverpool, major Spurs exits, and more

Oct 19, 2023

Good morning everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing - thanks for reading and hope you enjoy!

Today’s top stories:

Al Hilal have officially announced that Neymar tore his ACL and his meniscus in Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.
Neymar: “It’s very sad moment, the worst of my life. I know I’m strong… but this time I need support of my family and my friends. It’s not easy to get injured, undergo surgery and then… do it again just four months later. I have faith, I leave it in God’s hands.”

Vitor Roque reveals: “Ronald Araujo started to call me even before I signed for Barca. He sent message to my teammate Canobbio... he said: tell Vitor to join us at Barca. He wanted me at Barca at all costs! Then he added that he's waiting for me.”

This former Arsenal player would be “super keen” on joining Bayern Munich - more info here.

Manu Kone has not signed new deal at Borussia Monchengladbach. His first contract at the club included an automatic clause to extend the contract until June 2026 after summer 2023. The contract is now valid until June 2026 but Kone could still leave in 2024 - more info on his future here.

Ivan Toney is ready to leave Brentford, but how much will he cost and where could he go next?

Brighton’s Head of Recruitment Sam Jewell has now been formally approached by Rangers FC to become new Technical Director. Jewell, considering the proposal but still not convinced about leaving Brighton project at the highest point of club history after excellent job.

This Chelsea target is expected to be on the move in January - full info here.
Which Chelsea player is “90% likely to leave” in January? Full details here.
Chelsea announced that Trevoh Chalobah and Carney Chukwuemeka have both suffered recent setbacks in their injuries sustained earlier this season. The duo will now go under further review before continuing their rehabilitation at Cobham with the club’s medical staff.
Reece James and Axel Disasi were both involved in Chelsea training session at Cobham on Wednesday. Important news for Mauricio Pochettino ahead of next crucial games.
Why did Eden Hazard decide to retire? “I always said that I would stop playing as soon as I no longer had fun on the field. I didn’t want to go play somewhere for the money. I didn't enjoy training... and I didn't play anymore. The decision was simple.”

Inter CEO Beppe Marotta: “Taremi as signing in January? I don’t think so. But we are Inter, we’ve to be attentive to every opportunity. Many players want to come here. Look at Pavard and Thuram, but also Sommer...”

Kalvin Phillips: “I know that I need to be playing games and competing every weekend. I’m going to have to make a decision on my City future over the next months. Hopefully my chance comes but if it doesn't then I will have to make other decisions.”
More details on Phillips’ situation here.
Rodri: “My future? I’m very happy at City. I heard about Saudi but it would be very complicated to join a project like Saudi for me”. “My priority in football is ambition — as sporting, individual, collective ambition. At the moment, Arabia is not there.”
Was there really any chance of Rodri moving to Saudi? More info here.

A reminder of that great finish by Rodri as he secured a 1-0 Champions League final win over Inter to give Man City the treble last season! [Pictures courtesy of TNT Sports]

What’s the latest on Jadon Sancho and Harry Maguire?
Rasmus Hojlund after facing San Marino: “I feel they targeted me, as you can see at the end. I understand Italian and I could hear them saying that they had the idea to crush me...You can see from the images that he only had one idea in mind.”
📰 Borussia Dortmund would be ready to offer Jadon Sancho a return to the club this January (ESPN)
📰 Sir Jim Ratcliffe highlighted the signing of Casemiro as a mistake by Manchester United (Guardian)

Newcastle official statement on Sandro Tonali and betting case. “Newcastle United can confirm that Sandro Tonali is subject to investigation by the Italian Prosecutor's Office and Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in relation to illegal betting activity. Sandro is fully engaging with the investigation and will continue to cooperate with all relevant authorities. He and his family will continue to receive the club's full support. Due to this ongoing process, Sandro and Newcastle United are unable to offer further comment at this time.”

Jude Bellingham: “Being at Real Madrid improved me as a player, 100% guaranteed. Being around those mentalities and quality of players every day, it takes you to a new level mentally, physically and technically. I also love the freedom Ancelotti’s giving me. I want to stay at Real Madrid for the next 10-15 years of my life. This is where I want to be. I am loving it at Real!”