🚨 Arsenal target set for move, new Ben White deal, concern over Chelsea youngster, Barcelona's secret pact with Jorge Mendes & more

Oct 02, 2023

Good morning and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks for reading, and enjoy!

Today’s top stories:

Could this in-form Arsenal target be on the move soon? More exclusive info here.
Arsenal are working to extend Ben White’s contract - full details here.

Barcelona have an important secret pact with Jorge Mendes - more info here.
📰 Barca would be open to selling Ansu Fati once he returns from loan at Brighton next summer (Sport)

Ansu Fati with a tidy finish for Brighton against Aston Villa [Pictures courtesy of Brighton/YouTube]

Jerome Boateng was in training with Bayern yesterday ahead of his free transfer back to the club on a short term contract.

Zero minutes again for Andrey Santos for Nottingham Forest - Chelsea are monitoring the situation. More exclusive info here.
Chelsea will hold meetings soon to decide their strategy for January - full details here.
📰 Chelsea are eyeing up both Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney as targets up front this winter (Guardian)

Liverpool FC statement released yesterday: “We fully accept the pressures that match officials work under but these pressures are supposed to be alleviated, not exacerbated, by the existence and implementation of VAR. It is therefore unsatisfactory that sufficient time was not afforded to allow the correct decision to be made and that there was no subsequent intervention. That such failings have already been categorised as “significant human error” is also unacceptable. Any and all outcomes should be established only by the review and with full transparency. This is vital for the reliability of future decision-making as it applies to all clubs with learnings being used to make improvements to processes in order to ensure this kind of situation cannot occur again. In the meantime, we will explore the range of options available, given the clear need for escalation and resolution.

What’s going on with Marcus Rashford?
Manchester United fans weren’t happy with this Rashford footage - do they have a point?
No new developments on Jadon Sancho, but what about a new winger for Man Utd in January? More on that here.
Lisandro Martinez is the latest injury worry for United - more details here.

AS Monaco are so happy with Maghnes Akliouche (born 2002) after his performance vs Marseille. Two goals, one assist and 89% pass accuracy for the France U21 talent - he was the MOTM and one to watch for sure. He’s now represented by DW Sports management, under contract at Monaco until June 2026.

OFFICIAL: Victor Osimhen’s personal statement released yesterday: “Coming to the City of Naples in 2020 was a wonderful decision for me. The People of Napoli have shown me so much love and kindness, and I will not allow anyone to come between us. The passion of the People of Naples fuels my fire to always play with my heart and soul, and the love for the badge is unwavering as I wear it with pride.
The accusations against People of Naples are untrue. I have a lot of friends that are Napolitans and have become part of my family and everyday life. I appreciate Nigerians and everyone for leading their voices to support and reach out to me.
I’m forever grateful. Let’s support unity, respect and understanding. FORZA NAPOLI SEMPRE.”

Osimhen was back among the goals over the weekend [Pictures courtesy of Serie A/YouTube]

Zero minutes again for Andrey Santos for Nottingham Forest - Chelsea are monitoring the situation. More exclusive info here.

Vitinha: “PSG, really a great club. I love my life in Paris and I hope I will stay here for a long time. I feel good on the pitch… you can see that — I am having a good start to the season, I want to continue that.”

Jose Mourinho on recent criticism: “At least people now can’t accuse me of not helping Lukaku to score goals… he can score goals here at Roma but also at Man United or Inter. I’m not someone who destroys player’s quality.”
Mourinho: “I was watching Juventus game vs Atalanta tonight. Bremer got injured and Allegri had Daniele Rugani ready to enter to replace Bremer — so I thought: Max, you’re so lucky!”

Highly rated talent Dan Rigge is about to sign a new long term deal with West Ham. The 2006 born midfielder had interest from four Premier League clubs and two in La Liga but was focused on West Ham future.