🚨 Amad to the rescue, no go for Mbeumo, Kvaratskhelia's message, Rashford statement, Khusanov on the way and 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:

• Manchester City have closed a deal for Omar Marmoush

• Arsenal are preparing a new deal for Myles Lewis-Skelly

• Barcelona star’s wife asks for divorce after accusations of ‘controlling behaviour’

• Plus the latest news from Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Juventus and more

Arsenal

• Declan Rice: “We have lost Gabriel Jesus. I'm sure the manager will look for something, because we had to put Tierney on the left wing. We are a bit short there.”

• Arsenal are preparing a new deal proposal for Myles Lewis-Skelly. Club and coaching staff are excited with his progress, discussions to follow.

• Arsenal told that this surprise signing could transform their team.

Barcelona

• Gavi to reporters after the Copa del Rey win over Betis: “Ronald Araújo wants to stay at Barcelona, and I'm sure he will. People can relax. I always trust what Ronald says.”

• Barcelona star’s wife asks for divorce after accusations of ‘controlling behaviour.’

Bayern Munich

• Alphonso Davies’ situation has not changed. Despite reports of a new deal in place with Bayern in the last month, there was never any total agreement. Bayern’s proposal remains on the table but there is also interest from several clubs including Real Madrid.

• Bayern director Max Eberl has confirmed to SPOX that a deal for Christopher Nkunku is complicated: “We have a squad that is sufficiently equipped in terms of quantity and quality. We have no interest in doing anything in January. Mathys Tel? We're extremely happy with our squad.”

Beşiktaş

• Ole Gunnar Solskjær and his agent Jim Solbakken are set to fly to Istanbul on Friday to complete a deal for the former Manchester United ace to become the new Beşiktaş head coach.

Bournemouth

• Bournemouth have agreed terms with Chelsea for 19 year old winger Zain Silcott-Duberry. Deal includes a sell on clause and future incentives for first team appearances. Contract until June 2028.

Brentford

• Brentford manager Thomas Frank spoke to talkSPORT about selling Bryan Mbeumo in January: “It’s very easy to answer… no chance.”

Charlotte FC

• Wilfred Zaha will join MLS side Charlotte FC. He’s expected to travel in the next 24/48h for medical tests and contract signing. The deal will be on a loan basis from Galatasaray until June 2026.

Chelsea

• Torino are prepared to present a new official bid to Chelsea for Cesare Casadei. The permanent transfer will include an important sell-on clause as part of the deal.

• Chelsea have been approached again by Borussia Dortmund for Renato Veiga. The two clubs are in contact to discuss the formula of the deal.

• No active contacts between Juventus and Chelsea for Axel Disasi despite reports. Juventus have different targets while Disasi has attracted interest from other clubs in different countries.

• Chelsea fans are angry over the way the club is operating says Si Phillips.

Chicago Fire

• Chicago Fire are set to sign Jonathan Bamba from Celta Vigo, deal agreed in principle. Final details to be discussed and then he will fly for a medical as soon as documents are approved.

Como

• Como are closing in on a deal to sign Alex Valle from Barcelona. Celtic will terminate Valle’s loan as Kieran Tierney is close to joining.

Copa del Rey

• Athletic Club vs Osasuna (2-3): Ante Budimir was the hero for Osasuna, who stunned Athletic Club at home in a five-goal thriller. Aimar Oroz had given the visitors the lead on 40 minutes and Budimir doubled it with a 44th-minute penalty. They were pegged back in first-half injury time thanks to Nico Williams, and then Óscar de Marcos equalised for Athletic 10 minutes after the break. It was left to Budimir to silence the home crowd on 70, and try as they might, the hosts couldn’t break Osasuna down.

• Real Sociedad vs Rayo Vallecano (3-1): La Real didn’t put this one to bed until 11 minutes from the end when Sergio Gómez scored. Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scored for the hosts on 23 and Jon Ander Olasagasti added another before the break. There was still time for Òscar Trejo to pull one back before the half-time whistle, and Rayo were still fighting for an equaliser before Alfonso Espino’s red card on 77, which came just two minutes before Real’s third goal.

• Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo (5-2): Some of Real Madrid’s players were booed before the start of this game, fans evidently unhappy at the way they capitulated to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup. The fans were soon cheering when Kylian Mbappé gave Los Blancos a half-time lead with a superb solo effort, and just three minutes into the second period, Vini Jr. made it two. Jonathan Bamba pulled one back for Celta on 83 before, incredibly, a Marcos Alonso penalty on 91 took the game into extra-time. A double from Endrick in the 108th and 119th minutes sandwiched a goal from Fede Valverde (112) to, eventually, ease Real into the next round [pictures from RFEF]:

Fenerbahçe

• Fenerbahçe have opened talks with AC Milan for Strahinja Pavlović.

Inter Milan

• Inter have agreed all the details for the €7m signing of Tomás Perez from Newell’s Old Boys. Contract in place and medical being planned.

• Three issues Inter need to fix in the second half of the season.

Juventus

• All documents are signed for Randal Kolo Muani’s loan move to Juventus from PSG. 100% of the salary will be covered by Juve. No buy option clause.

• Juventus plan summer raids for Atalanta trio.

Le Havre

• Mahamadou Diawara leaves Lyon to join Le Havre on loan deal until June. Medical booked for Friday.

Liverpool

• ‘Five year deal agreed’: Fabrizio Romano shares huge evening transfer development directly impacting Liverpool.

Manchester City

• A deal for Omar Marmoush has concluded successfully after a final round of talks between Man City and Eintracht Frankfurt. Five-year contract agreed with the Egyptian forward.

• Manchester City have scheduled direct contact with Juventus to discuss Andrea Cambiaso. No bid made yet.

• Manchester City’s next signing Abdukodir Khusanov, is on his way to England with his agents.

• Tottenham have to negotiate with Man City to complete surprise transfer.

Manchester United

• Marcus Rashford wasn’t even on the bench again for Manchester United against Southampton… as Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan remain in talks with his camp.

• Rúben Amorim on Garnacho starting again: “We need players like Amad and Ale Garnacho to create spaces.”

• Amad scored his first Premier League hat-trick at 22y 189d. Only Wayne Rooney has scored a PL hat-trick for Manchester United at a younger age. United’s present and United’s future.

• Amad Diallo to TNT Sports after the Southampton game: “I'm ready to play in any position and ready to fight for this club, for Manchester United. Three goals in 12 minutes? Well, in football you always have to believe.”

• Marcus Rashford has issued a statement on Instagram:

• Sky Sports drop breaking Manchester United transfer news.

Millwall

• Romain Esse will sign his Crystal Palace contract on Friday after completing his medical.

Napoli

• Khvicha Kvaratskhelia shares his goodbye message to Napoli fans ahead of PSG move:

• Lukaku: Conte almost froze me out of Inter squad.

Norwich City

• Norwich and Slavia Prague have sealed the agreement for Matej Jurasek. €7m transfer fee and a contract until June 2030

Paris Saint-Germain

• Paris Saint-Germain have booked medicals for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on Friday. Five year contract confirmed.

Premier League

• Ipswich Town vs Brighton and Hove Albion (0-2): In a game of few chances, Kaoru Mitoma handed the Seagulls the lead just before the hour and Georginio Rutter doubled it with nine minutes left. Ultimately, it condemned Ipswich to another Premier League defeat [pictures from TNT Sports]:

• Manchester United vs Southampton (2-1): Southampton survived a handball appeal in the first-half before going ahead just before the break through a Manuel Ugarte own goal to silence Old Trafford. Manchester United’s luck looked to be completely out when Antony contrived to miss an open goal from two yards out in the second half, but with eight minutes left to play, Amad Diallo gave the Red Devils some hope. He was in the right place at the right time again in the 90th minute as United took the lead, and he completed his hat-trick on 94 to turn the game around and earn Rúben Amorim’s side a precious three points [pictures from TNT Sports]:

Real Madrid

• Endrick to reporters after his two goals in extra-time against Celta Vigo helped Real Madrid into the next round of the Copa del Rey: “I love everything at Real Madrid, the club, the fans… my goals are for Rüdiger, he helps me every day. I knew I had to work a lot harder here and I want to do my best for Real Madrid.”

• Endrick: “I didn’t expect to play more minutes... Ancelotti knows what he’s doing. He doesn’t do what’s best for me, but for the team. If the team needs Kylian, Vini, or Rodrygo, they’ll be there. If it’s Arda Güler, he’ll be there. If it’s me, I’ll be there.”

• Real Madrid finalise second centre-back signing.

Saudi Pro League

• Chicago Fire have genuine interest in Neymar but negotiations are not at an advanced stage. Neymar and his camp have not given any green light to proceed with a formal contract proposal yet.

• Neymar will not be registered for the second-half of the Saudi Pro League season. Jorge Jesus: “Ney will not be registered, but he can participate in the Asian Champions League. He’s world class but the truth is, physically, he can no longer perform at the level we are used to.”

• Al Ahli have agreed in principle on a deal to appoint Massimiliano Allegri as their new head coach for next season. Final details to be sorted in the next few days. The club will appoint a caretaker manager in the interim and then Allegri in June.

• Al Hilal manager Jorge Jesus on interest in Mo Salah: “Salah or other big names won't come this winter… but maybe this summer.”

• Neymar did an extensive interview with Romário where he talked about a number of subjects: “I don’t have any regrets in my career. All of the mistakes I had in my career, in my life choices were to help me grow, help me mature so I don’t regret anything. I don’t regret my choice to pick Barcelona over Real Madrid for example. I went with my heart there. I obviously wanted to play with Messi! Barça was the team I loved. I always watched, since the era of Ronaldinho I always said ‘I want to play there’ and it happened. Those were intense days. It was 2 or 3 days where I wasn’t even training, just going from my house to the office to resolve things. It was Real Madrid’s people calling me from one side and Barcelona’s people calling me from the other, both presidents were talking to me. I couldn’t rationalise it. I imagined myself playing for both but then my heart spoke louder. I ended up choosing Barcelona…

• I spent the first 6 months at Barça with butterflies in my stomach. I was like… f*ck, I can’t dribble anyone, I can’t get by anyone, I’m doing everything all wrong… There was a day I was so despaired. It was going half time. I remember it until this day, it was against Athletic Bilbao, I went into the dressing room pissed at myself. I was playing so bad. I went into the washroom crying by myself thinking ‘what am I doing?’ Then there was a knock on the door and it was Messi. He asked me ‘why are you crying?’ and I said ‘nah I’m good, I’m good.’ Then Dani Alves came and Messi said ‘Calm down, we’re here to help you. We want you to play your best football like you did at Santos, without any pressure. If you need anything you can count on me.’ After that I become more confident. More excited to play and everything started to go well…

• I didn’t leave Barça to be the best in the world at PSG. Messi asked ‘why are you leaving? Do you want to be the best player in the world? I can make you the best player in the world.’ I told him ‘no, it’s not that, it’s something personal.’ Obviously financially, it was better than what I had at Barcelona and there were Brazilians there too. I just wanted to play with the Brazilians. There was Thiago Silva, Dani Alves just signed, Marquinhos, Lucas Moura. They were all my friends… Mbappé was not annoying! I had my things with him, we had a little fight. He was a boy that in the beginning was key, I used to call him ‘Golden Boy.’ I spoke to him, played around with him, told him he’d be one of the best. I always help, always had conversations with him. When Messi arrived, he became a little jealous. He didn’t want to share me with anyone and that’s how the fights started, the change in behaviour… What went wrong at PSG? Ego. Ego. I think having an ego is good, thinking you’re the best, but you have realise to not play by yourself. Nowadays if not everyone helps, it’s impossible to win something… Saudi Arabia surprised me. The possibility of me staying in Saudi after my contract exists. Let’s see because in six months a lot can change.”

Southampton

• Southampton are on the verge of appointing Johannes Spors as their new Director of Football. The role will include overseeing all of Sport Republic’s clubs including Goztepe and Ligue 2 club Valenciennes.