🚨 Arsenal continuing to monitor Matheus França, Thomas Tuchel still 100% committed to Bayern, ten Hag happy Harry Maguire is at Man United, Man City open to selling Cancelo and more…
Today's transfer round-up featuring Liverpool, Man City, Man United, and more.
Good morning and welcome to today’s Daily Briefing! Hope you enjoy today’s updates, brought to you ad-free and straight to your inbox as always!
Today’s top stories:
Ajax
Branco van den Boonen has signed for Ajax on a free transfer from Toulouse. The deal lasts until June 2027, and is a smart move from the Dutch giants.
Arsenal
There has been no proposal, bid or formal talks at this point relating to Matheus França. The club’s scouts in Brazil are monitoring the player, but there haven’t been any negotiations.
Flamengo turned down a €20m bid from Newcastle in January, and now there are three more clubs in the race to sign him.
🗞 Arsenal could lose out on the signing of Declan Rice from West Ham to Bayern Munich [Florian Plettenberg via CaughtOffside]
Barcelona
There are no issues with Xavi’s renewal, it’s just a matter of time. The deal has been ready to be signed since March.
“My renewal is 90% done. There will be no problems. I can confirm that we are very, very close,” Xavi told Sport.
Regarding Lionel Messi, Xavi said: “I told the president that the Messi return makes sense. No doubts at all, he is perfect for our system and idea. I’ve the tactical plan in mind with Leo. It’s up to Leo. I think he has to decide, it’s up to him… I’m speaking with Leo, yes.”
Messi wants to make a decision on his future in the next few days. There’s no guarantee that he will announce his new club but he wants to pick his next playing destination ASAP. Still no official bid from Barça due to FFP and the agreement of La Liga. There’s no panic at Barça yet, but they need to move quickly. The bid from Al Hilal that’s been in place since April is still on the table.
Sergio Busquets spoke to RAC1 about his future plans after playing his last game for Barça: “I’ve three or four options on the table but all of them are outside Europe. I’m not sure I’d be able to play a football match against Barça.
“My choice would be Rodri as the new pivot for Barça but I’m told it’s very difficult. Kimmich or Zubimendi? I feel Zubi suits our style better, then there’s an internal option with Nico.”
💬 What do you think of Barcelona’s pursuit of Messi? - Leave me a comment below!
Bayern Munich
After rumours circulating in England that Thomas Tuchel was to leave Bayern after the dismissals of Kahn and Salihamidzić, sources have indicated that Tuchel is still 100% committed to the project and is awaiting clarification on the new director situation.
Alphonso Davies’ agent Nedal Huoseh had some strong words for BILD regarding his client: “There seems to be too much instability and uncertainty about the direction of Bayern now. Maybe it’s better if we wait until 2024 and see how things develop with the club before we move on to a new contract.”
Brighton
Mahmoud Dahoud can be considered a new Brighton player after joining on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund. Agreement complete and my understanding is the contract is until 2027. Signature and club statement will follow.
Sources expect that Alexis Mac Allister will clarify his future by the end of next week with his move considered to be ‘imminent.’ With personal terms virtually done and dusted, Liverpool want to get this one over the line, with just a few final details to be agreed upon.
Chelsea
Mauricio Pochettino has been confirmed as the new coach at Chelsea. His contract is valid from July 1 and is a two-year contract with the option of a further year.
To clarify, Pochettino didn’t turn down Tottenham as there were never any concrete talks. He’s excited about the Chelsea project and can’t wait to get started.
His staff will include Jesus Perez, Miguel d’Agostino, Toni Jimenez and Sebastiano Pochettino.
‘Pochettino is a world-class coach with an outstanding track record. We are all looking forward to having him on board’ - Chelsea owners.
🗞 Chelsea have agreed personal terms with Sporting’s highly-rated Manuel Ugarte [Rob Pratley via CaughtOffside]
Leeds United
Brenden Aaronson’s contract with Leeds is now active and a summer move is a possibility as a result. Weston McKennie has gone back to Juventus as his €34m clause has expired.
Liverpool
I understand that Liverpool have received a bid from a UCL club to sign Fabio Carvalho to a permanent deal. There are also a number of loan proposals on the table, but Carvalho’s acceptance of any project is key to a deal going through. Jurgen Klopp is aware of the player’s intentions and talks remain ongoing. The club are reluctant to sell, however, a buy back may be considered given the desire of the player to get more minutes.
Man United
The club have been clear with the players who are not part of Erik ten Hag’s plans. Eric Bailly and Alex Telles will return and the leave, whilst Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe will be allowed to leave on free transfers.
Ten Hag spoke about a number of players in an interview with The Times. “Kane in the list? What we need besides Marcus Rashford is one extra player with scoring abilities. We need someone whether from our own squad or we have to sign a player.
“De Gea will stay but I will not say he’ll always be my number one goalkeeper. I say this because in a club like Man United, there must always be competition in all positions.
“Mason Greenwood has showed in the past that he is capable of scoring goals… but it’s not my decision as to whether he returns.
“No one would be happy with this situation, he (Harry Maguire) works very hard… but Varane is fantastic. Let’s say I’m happy he’s here, he loves his job - but it’s also a decision he has to make.”
🗞 Man United set to miss out on signing Daichi Kamada [Patrick Berger via CaughtOffside]
Man City
I understand that Man City are willing to sell João Cancelo this summer and he’ll return from Bayern as the €70m option won’t be triggered by the Bavarians.
He’s on Arsenal’s list as the north Londoners really like him, and Barcelona have been interested since January but everything depends on their FFP situation.
💬 Arsenal fans - Is Cancelo the type of player to improve the squad? Let me know your thoughts below!
Napoli
Luciano Spalletti has confirmed that he is leaving Napoli after leading them to the Scudetto.
“Sometimes you part ways because of too much love. I will not stay, I’m leaving. No way to change my mind. I told the club that I need a year off a few weeks ago and I will not work for any other club. I’ll rest for a year.”
PSG
Lionel Messi wants to make a decision on his future in the next few days. There’s no guarantee that he will announce his new club but he wants to pick his next playing destination ASAP. Still no official bid from Barça due to FFP, and the bid from Al Hilal that’s been in place since April is still on the table.
Real Madrid
Nacho’s deal with Los Blancos is about to expire and there’s still no agreement on a contract extension. Inter have made an approach but this is more to understand what the player’s terms would be in any potential free transfer. Nothing agreed with the Italian giants either at the moment.
Regarding the many rumours about Karim Benzema, I can confirm that Roberto Firmino is one of the options that Real are considering for their attack. There are many other names in the conversation including Joselu because he can leave Espanyol under very favourable conditions after being relegated.
Real want Karim to sign the contract as soon as possible. It’s ready and will take five minutes. Toni Kroos has already signed his new deal, Luka Modric is waiting for the call from the club and he will also sign. Los Blancos want Benzema to do the same, aware that the striker has offers from Saudi Arabia.
Regarding Jude Bellingham, the deal is technically not completed yet. There is still a small amount of work to do, just the last steps, but there are no doubts on the move, agreed for some weeks now.
Sunderland
Jude Bellingham will shortly complete his move to Real Madrid, whilst brother, Jobe, is expected to travel up to Sunderland and complete his own switch from Birmingham City this week. His medical will be scheduled ahead of the proposed £3m move.
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com
Cancelo would definitely improve the squad, but I dont think he has the right temperament. I could also see him falling out with players and staff over playing time and I dont want him disturbing the fantastic environment at the club. No thanks.
La Liga are going to stop Barça from signing Messi aren’t they?!