🚨 Araujo to Man Utd TRUTH, potential ins and outs at Bayern, why Newcastle star was in Paris, Senegal screamer at AFCON, Messi wins another award, and more
Today's football headlines, featuring Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea, West Ham and much more!
Good morning everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing - hope you enjoy, and thanks for reading!
Today’s top stories:
Are Man Utd really pursuing Ronald Araujo and Michael Olise?
Plus watch this AFCON golazo, and news at Arsenal, Liverpool & more
Ajax
There have been no changes on the Jordan Henderson deal as Ajax keep working on it, despite recent links with other clubs such as Juventus and Bayern Munich.
Al Hilal
Al Hilal and Olympique Marseille are checking documents for Renan Lodi deal today. The obligation to buy clause will be 100% guaranteed, it’s the same as permanent transfer. Renan is prepared to sign contract until June 2027 as soon as the clubs will complete the documents.
Argentina
Official: Lionel Messi has won The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2023. Messi, as well as the other two finalists Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, was not present at the ceremony.
Lionel Scaloni has met with the president of the Argentine Football Association Chiqui Tapia as he’s set to stay as Argentina national team head coach at least until the Copa America in the summer.
Arsenal
Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid like Thiago Almada, while Angel Correa could leave the club - more info here from Matteo Moretto.
Barcelona
Bayern Munich
Confidence is growing on both Bayern and Nordi Mukiele sides as positive contacts are taking place again for his loan move. Bayern told PSG they’re prepared to cover 100% of the salary until June. Mukiele wants Bayern, and more negotiations will follow.
Leroy Sane’s contract is due to expire in June 2025. Discussing the situation, Bayern director Christoph Freund said: “We’re not in a rush, but there will also be talks with Leroy. We are very, very happy with him. It’s his best year at FC Bayern. That’s why I’m positive that he could stay at Bayern for longer.”
Could these two Bayern players leave this January? Fabrizio Romano has his say here.
Brentford
Brentford manager Thomas Frank on Ivan Toney: “It’s very clear — I don’t want to let him go. I want to keep him as long as possible and I only have that in mind. My only focus is getting him ready for the game vs Nottingham Forest.”
Brighton
Brighton and Boca Juniors will make the Valentin Barco deal official soon as it’s all signed since Friday. Contract until June 2028 plus option until June 2029. $10m clause triggered.
Celtic
Celtic have been approached by Italian side Como FC for Irish talent Rocco Vata. Bologna are keen on signing him as revealed last week but Como can offer different kind of project and guaranteed game time. Talks will follow soon.
Chelsea
Andrey Santos on his Nottingham Forest loan: “It was my choice. Unfortunately it wasn’t how we all imagined. I imagined that I was going to play and so on, I was always ready, always well, but it was the coach’s choice, I respect it — I’m back to Chelsea now.”
Karim Benzema and Roberto Firmino have been linked with Chelsea - latest info from Fabrizio Romano here.
This Chelsea defender wants to leave and is aiming to stay in the Premier League.
Is The Chelsea Project Working?
Ben and Angus are joined by Scott Trotter of Football London to take a deep dive into the Chelsea project at the 18-month mark. Is is working and what does the future look like at Stamford Bridge? As always, Fabrizio Romano joins to dish on the latest transfer rumours including fresh links between Saudi Arabia and Chelsea, including a possible Karim Benz…
Crystal Palace
Michael Olise is attracting speculation again - here’s the latest on his situation and a possible release clause in Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Everton
Premier League charges Nottingham Forest and Everton with breaching financial rules. Clubs facing points deductions charged by Premier League with breaching profit and sustainability rules. Second charge this season for Everton, who were docked ten points in November.
FIFA Team of the Year 2023
Here’s FIFA’s Team of the Year for 2023 in full: Thibaut Courtois; Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, John Stones; Kevin De Bruyne, Jude Bellingham, Bernardo Silva; Lionel Messi, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland
Internacional
Internacional are set to complete deal to sign Rafael Santos Borre. The agreement is finally being sealed. The two clubs agreed on all details of the deal, final step to decide is whether Santos Borre joins Internacional now or in the summer transfer window.
Juventus
Juventus are open to letting Moise Kean leave in January with any formula, in case they receive the right proposal. Kean will assess all the options this week with preference for clubs from abroad.
Jordan Henderson has been linked with Juventus, but what’s the latest? Matteo Moretto takes a look in his column here.
Leicester City
Leicester City keep working on the Stefano Sensi deal. Outgoings are still needed to proceed in talks… but Enzo Maresca really wants Sensi. The Italian midfielder is keen on joining Leicester, and Inter are also open to selling him on a permanent deal.
Liverpool
What a superb team goal this was from Liverpool’s Under-18s! FT Liverpool U18s 3-1 Stoke City U18s [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Liverpool have been exploring the centre-backs market - latest details here from Fabrizio Romano.
Could Liverpool be set to join the race for this Brazilian star?
Manchester City
Official: Pep Guardiola has been named as The Best FIFA Men’s Coach of 2023 following his stunning treble success with Manchester City.
Official: Manchester City’s Ederson has been named as The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper of 2023.
Official, confirmed: Mexican talent Alex Alcala (born 2005) joins City Football Group. CFG bought option from Galaxy in 2020 after being impressed at several tournaments, deal now completed.
Pep Guardiola praises Oscar Bobb after his winning goal vs Newcastle: “Bobb can play in 5 positions! City have another player for many years if Oscar decides to stay…Now he’s happy for those minutes but also Cole Palmer was happy here then he told us: ‘I want more!’. It’s natural, understandable.”
Manchester United
Michael Olise and Ronald Araujo are being strongly linked with Manchester United - Fabrizio Romano takes a closer look at the stories in his exclusive column here.
Hannibal Mejbri has now officially signed in as a new Sevilla player from Manchester United, with the Red Devils and INEOS making a late decision to include a buy-back clause in case the move is made permanent. He has a €20m purchase clause in June, not mandatory, a €35m buy back clause until 2026, and a sell-on clause also included.
Joshua Zirkzee to Manchester United? The Bologna star seems to be attracting some serious interest after impressing in Serie A.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has some big targets for Man Utd, including a ‘Harry Kane-like striker’…
Marseille
Olympique Marseille will pay a fee in the region of €3m for Ulisses Garcia as their new full-back. An agreement has been completed with Young Boys, with medical tests to follow in 24 hours.
Newcastle United
Bruno Guimaraes was in Paris yesterday, but just for a personal trip. The Brazilian midfielder enjoyed a free day with his friends and family - there’s no correlation with Paris Saint-Germain interest, and no January move expected as he’s now untouchable for Newcastle.
Nice
Nice have agreed all details of loan deal for Valentin Rosier who’s set to join the club from Besiktas. Documents being prepared and time to sign soon.
Nottingham Forest
Premier League charges Nottingham Forest and Everton with breaching financial rules. Clubs facing points deductions charged by Premier League with breaching profit and sustainability rules. Second charge this season for Everton, who were docked ten points in November.
Jonathan Panzo has returned to Nottingham Forest from his loan spell at Cardiff City. Panzo is expected to leave Forest again in January as all parties are looking for the best solutions with clubs keen on signing him.
Olympiacos
Olympiacos are closing in on deal to sign David Carmo from FC Porto, almost done — documents are being prepared. Initial loan agreed for Carmo who’s set to travel for medical tests and contract signing.
PSG
Bruno Guimaraes was in Paris yesterday, but just for a personal trip. The Brazilian midfielder enjoyed a free day with his friends and family - there’s no correlation with Paris Saint-Germain interest, and no January move expected as he’s now untouchable for Newcastle.
Renato Sanches remains one to watch in the next two weeks - Roma still want him to find another club in January. Paris Saint-Germain will only interrupt his loan with Roma if there’s another good bid for Renato. He’s 100% not returning to PSG now.
TWO clubs have asked about Sanches, according to Fabrizio Romano in his exclusive column here.
Real Madrid
Vinicius Junior on Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid: “Guys, on new signings you should ask the president...We’ve 25 players to do our best for Real Madrid. We’re focused on celebrating the Supercup and doing great things in the next games.”
Carlo Ancelotti: “Arda Guler is one of our main players. He is back from a big injury, he will start doing his thing soon and will get a lot more playing time. We trust him.”
Roma
Renato Sanches remains one to watch in the next two weeks - Roma still want him to find another club in January. Paris Saint-Germain will only interrupt his loan with Roma if there’s another good bid for Renato. He’s 100% not returning to PSG now.
TWO clubs have asked about Sanches, according to Fabrizio Romano in his exclusive column here.
Senegal
Early contender for goal of the tournament by Lamine Camara as Senegal made a winning start to AFCON! FT Senegal 3-0 Gambia [Pictures from beIN Sports]
Sevilla
Pictured: Hannibal Mejbri has now officially signed in as a new Sevilla player from Manchester United.
Hannibal’s deal with Sevilla includes a €20m purchase clause in June, not mandatory, a €35m buy back clause until 2026, and a sell-on clause.
Strasbourg
Strasbourg striker Sahi Dion has signed with a new agency, Epic Sports owned by Ali Barat. The U23 Ivorian international just scored two goals in Coupe de France with BlueCo club — and he’s being closely monitored by many clubs in Ligue 1, La Liga and the Premier League.
Utrecht
Former Watford talent Adrian Blake made his Eredivisie debut at FC Utrecht. Lots of loan interest in EFL but he will not be allowed to leave as he’s big part of Utrecht plans.
GM from a very cold and snowy NY State ,thank you for all the updates Fabrizio.