🚨 Arsenal plot ambitious forward move, five clubs chasing Chelsea star, Man Utd lead queue for €60m talent, UCL round-up, & more
Today's headlines and UCL news clips...
Morning folks! Welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing, here as always to provide you with your essential football headlines all in one place and with no ads. Thanks for reading, and enjoy :-)
Today’s top stories:
Plus last night’s UCL action & more!
Champions League round-up:
Liverpool thrash Galatasaray to progress to quarter-finals
Liverpool gave the perfect response to their poor recent form with a thumping 4-0 win at home to Galatasaray last night.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, the Reds started well with a clever corner routine finished by Dominik Szoboszlai.
Hugo Ekitike and Ryan Gravenberch added further goals before a stunning solo effort by Mohamed Salah made this a very one-sided affair and a smooth progression into the quarter-finals.
FT Liverpool 4-0 Galatasaray (4-1 on aggregate) [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Barcelona thrash Newcastle in crazy Nou Camp goal fest
What started as a spirited performance from Newcastle ultimately ended in a crazy second half collapse.
Anthony Elanga hit back twice after early goals from Barcelona, but goals from Fermin Lopez, Raphinha, and a brace from Robert Lewandowski turned it into a goal fest for Barca.
The score-line feels a bit harsh on Newcastle, but it’s a lesson about how hard it is to step up to this level against some of the best players in the world.
FT Barcelona 7-2 Newcastle (8-3 on aggregate) [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Tottenham fight back but it’s not enough against Atletico Madrid
Tottenham produced a spirited display to beat Atletico Madrid 3-2 on the night, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to prevent their exit from the Champions League.
Randal Kolo Muani scored an early header and Xavi Simons was in fine form with a brace, including a delightful long-range effort, but the visitors hit back with two goals of their own.
Spurs fans will take some heart from this improved display, but coming back from that disappointing first leg was always going to be a big ask.
FT Tottenham 3-2 Atletico Madrid (5-7 on aggregate) [Pictures from TNT Sports]
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Arsenal
Sandro Tonali is a target for Arsenal but Newcastle’s asking price for the Italian midfielder is likely to be at least £100m. (iNews)
Two Arsenal forwards, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli are emerging as top targets for Atletico Madrid ahead of the summer transfer window. (TEAMtalk)
Arsenal are rumoured to be preparing a move for AC Milan forward Rafael Leao for this summer. (Fichajes)
Arsenal have joined Liverpool in the race for one of Europe’s top midfielders - full story here!
Barcelona
Barcelona are reluctant to pay Marcus Rashford’s £26m asking price but are confident they could convince Manchester United to allow him to join them again for a second loan spell. (Daily Mail)
Barcelona player ratings as they put seven past Newcastle!
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich are prepared to rival Manchester United and other top Premier League clubs in the race to sign £100m-rated Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson this summer. (Daily Mail)
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund are keen on signing Jadon Sancho for a third spell, but the Manchester United misfit would need to accept a significant pay cut to return to Germany. (Times)
Chelsea
Enzo Fernandez has been given a 99% chance of leaving Chelsea this summer, with five clubs interested in the unsettled Argentina midfielder. (Simon Phillips)
Meanwhile, Fernandez also appears to have hinted that he could be open to leaving Chelsea this summer - see his full quotes here!
Liam Rosenior reportedly wants more experienced signings for Chelsea, but the Blues board are set to refuse his request. (Sports Boom)
Leeds United
Leeds are in the market for new attacking players this summer as manager Daniel Farke has behind-the-scenes concerns about one of his forwards - full story here!
Liverpool
Liverpool are eyeing up a move for Sporting Lisbon striker Luis Suarez after his superb form this season. (Fichajes)
Arne Slot had a Mohamed Salah injury update after he had to go off in last night’s win over Galatasaray - details here!
Manchester City
Manchester City are plotting a surprise raid on one of their major Premier League rivals this summer - full story here!
Manchester United
Joshua Zirkzee will be allowed to leave Manchester United this summer, with three Serie A clubs interested in the €35m-rated Dutch forward. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
Manchester United have made Bruno Fernandes’ future a top priority as they bid to keep hold of the Portuguese midfield maestro this summer. (Daily Mail)
Manchester United are one of the main suitors for Nathaniel Brown, and Eintracht Frankfurt are under pressure to sell him this summer for around €60m. (Sport Bild)
Sandro Tonali would be ready to join Manchester United as they reportedly step up their interest in the Newcastle midfielder. (Christopher Michel)
Tonali is a target for Manchester United but Newcastle’s asking price for the Italian midfielder is likely to be at least £100m. (iNews)
Bayern Munich are prepared to rival Manchester United and other top Premier League clubs in the race to sign £100m-rated Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson this summer. (Daily Mail)
Newcastle United
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is keen for the club to give a new contract to experienced full-back Kieran Trippier as he edges closer to becoming a free agent. (Football Insider)
Newcastle are one of the clubs in the race to sign exciting Porto midfield wonderkid Rodrigo Mora as he could be on the move for around €80m this summer. (Sports Boom)
Real Madrid
Real Madrid have been dealt a major injury blow for the upcoming derby against Atletico Madrid - full story here!
West Ham United
Chelsea and West Ham are planning talks to decide the future of Axel Disasi, with the Hammers keen to keep the on-loan Blues defender permanently. (Football Insider)
This West Ham figure has hinted at a surprise potential exit - full story here!