🚨 Arsenal seal CB agreement, Liverpool targeting Bayern star, Man United back in for world class midfielder, Europa League round-up, & more
Latest transfer news, major contract developments, Europa League news clips, and more!
Happy Friday everyone, and welcome to another Daily Briefing! Thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy today’s post! :-)
Today’s top stories:
Liverpool eyeing Bayern Munich star
Plus more from Man United, Tottenham & Chelsea
Europa League round-up
Villa pick up first win of the season
Aston Villa finally picked up their first win of the season as they got past Bologna in a tricky test in the Europa League.
A superb effort from outside the box by John McGinn was enough in the end, but Ollie Watkins’ woes continued as his penalty was saved in the second half.
FT Aston Villa 1-0 Bologna [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Rangers suffer another defeat
Rangers’ tough start to the season continued with a 1-0 defeat at home to Genk in the Europa League last night.
And just to rub salt into the wounds, it was former Celtic man Oh Hyeon-gyu with the winning goal early in the second half.
FT Rangers 0-1 Genk [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Olivier Giroud has still got it!
He may be 38 years old, but Olivier Giroud is still proving decisive in big games in major European competitions.
The former Arsenal, Chelsea and AC Milan striker scored with a trademark header to give Lille a 2-1 victory last night.
FT Lille 2-1 Brann [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Europa League scores in full
Go Ahead Eagles 0-1 FCSB
Lille 2-1 Brann
Aston Villa 1-0 Bologna
Ferencvaros 1-1 Viktoria Plzen
Rangers 0-1 Genk
Red Bull Salzburg 0-1 Porto
Stuttgart 2-1 Celta Vigo
Utrecht 0-1 Lyon
Young Boys 1-4 Panathinaikos
Arsenal
William Saliba has agreed to sign a new five-year contract and commit his future to Arsenal despite interest from Real Madrid. (David Ornstein)
Andrea Berta played a key role to help Arsenal keep Saliba, having started work on the French centre-back’s new deal months ago when he first took over as sporting director. (Charles Watts, the Daily Briefing)
Reminder from our exclusive two weeks ago: Saliba and Bukayo Saka are “100%” staying. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
Lucien Agoume is likely to be on a list of long-term midfield targets for Arsenal, even if nothing concrete is happening with that move for the moment. (Charles Watts, the Daily Briefing)
Gabriel Jesus is seriously considering leaving Arsenal this January, and they’d also be open to offers. Two Premier League clubs have enquired about him already. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
Arsenal have made first contact over signing Kenan Yildiz from Juventus, but he’s likely to cost as much as €80-100m. (Fichajes)
Barcelona
Barcelona and Spain legend Sergio Busquets has decided to retire from professional football. He’s set to hang up his boots at the end of the current MLS season in a few weeks. (Fabrizio Romano)
Chelsea
Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has already agreed a five-year contract with Bayern Munich as the plan is for his move to be made permanent next summer. (Bild)
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Liverpool
Rio Ngumoha has officially signed a new Liverpool contract until June 2028! The agreement is done, with the teenager a key part of the Reds’ long-term project. (Liverpool FC official)
Liverpool insiders are concerned about William Saliba’s new Arsenal contract as it likely means it’s going to be harder for them to keep Ibrahima Konate amid interest from Real Madrid. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
Liverpool may also face surprise Konate interest from their rivals such as Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City. (TBR Football)
Liverpool are very interested in signing Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise next summer, but could face competition from other major clubs. (Fichajes)
Manchester City
Manchester City are closing in on a new contract for Savinho. Talks are advanced and at the final stages with the Brazilian winger to stay at City for the long-term, following their decision to reject approaches from Tottenham in the summer. (Fabrizio Romano)
Manchester United
Frenkie de Jong is a target for Manchester United again, with Ruben Amorim also a fan of the player Erik ten Hag tried to bring to Old Trafford when he was manager. (Football Insider)
Another midfield target for United is Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, with the Red Devils possibly preparing a bid for him as early as this January. (TEAMtalk)
Newcastle United
Newcastle United are the latest club to show an interest in Eduardo Camavinga as he’s open to leaving Real Madrid for a move to the Premier League. (Football Insider)
Real Madrid
Vinicius Junior appears to have made his feelings clear - he wants to stay at Real Madrid, despite links with Premier League clubs and others. (Fabrizio Romano)
Liverpool insiders are concerned about William Saliba’s new Arsenal contract as it likely means it’s going to be harder for them to keep Ibrahima Konate amid interest from Real Madrid. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
Tottenham
Tottenham have opened the doors for Harry Kane’s transfer back to the club, though his current focus is only on the season ahead with Bayern Munich. (Fabrizio Romano)
Tottenham are already keen to use their option to sign Joao Palhinha permanently for £27m. The on-loan Bayern Munich midfielder also wants to stay at Spurs beyond this season. (Ben Jacobs)
West Ham United
West Ham are one of the clubs to enquire to Arsenal about the possibility of signing Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus this January, though his wages could be an issue. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
West Ham players are still backing current manager Graham Potter as the man to turn things around at the London Stadium. (Kaveh Solhekol, Sky Sports)